The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46613

Martha Lee Coulter, MSW, DrPH¹, Robert Byers, PhD¹, and Lodi Lipien, BA². (1) Department of Community and Family Health, The James and Jennifer Harrell Center for the Study of Domestic Violence, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, (813)974-7829, mcoulter@hsc.usf.edu, (2) Department of Child and Family Studies, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 2225, Tampa, FL 33612

This study examines the relationship between client factors and dropout from domestic violence intervention programs. Previous research suggests that demographic characteristics and the absence of certain social supports may be associated with withdrawal from treatment; however, comparability of results is often hindered by differential categorizations of variables across studies. Participants included 13,203 adult offenders who entered an intervention program in Hillsborough County, Florida between November 1995 and October 1999. Demographics (i.e., gender, race, age) and indicators of social support (i.e., relationship status, living arrangement, employment status, educational attainment, contact with children) were incorporated into the analysis. Logistic regression models measured the associations between these variables and program dropout. With regard to demographics, results of the analysis indicated that males and youthful offenders were more likely to drop out of treatment programs than females and older offenders. With regard to social supports, offenders who were unemployed or single were more likely to withdraw from treatment than those who were employed or married. Furthermore, offenders who reported that they did not see their children were more likely to drop out of the program than offenders who maintained contact with their children. These results suggest that the absence of certain social supports, as well as demographic characteristics, are related to dropout from domestic violence treatment programs. Intervention programs may need to be modified to ensure that dropout from treatment is minimized.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• List demographic and other client factors that are associated with dropout from domestic violence intervention programs.
• Articulate an implication of these findings for treatment programs.
• Describe limitations in previous research on the associations between social supports and domestic violence program completion.

Keywords: Domestic Violence,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.