Assessing the effect of batterer program completion on reassault using propensity scores.
Recent experimental evaluations have suggested little or no effect of batterer programs on reassault but are compromised by methodological and analytical issues. This study assesses program effect using propensity score analysis with a quasi-experimental sample in an attempt to address these issues. The sample consisted of 633 batterers and their partners from three geographically dispersed batterer programs and a 15-month follow-up with their female partners. Subclassification on propensity scores was used to balance program completers and program dropouts. The propensity score was estimated as the probability of completing the batterer program conditional on observable characteristics. Direct adjustment indicates that program completion reduced the probability of reassault during the 15-month follow-up by 33% for the full sample, and by nearly 50% for the court-ordered men.
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. asjones@wfubmc.edu
Alison Snow
AS
Jones
Ralph B
RB
D'Agostino
Edward W
EW
Gondolf
Alex
A
Heckert
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States