title: Examining Systems Change in the Response to Domestic Violence: Innovative Applications of Multilevel Modeling.
abstract: Facilitating systems change in the response to domestic violence has been touted as a central goal in the effort to hold systems accountable and create a coordinated response for survivors. However, examination of systems change and whether particular social change efforts (e.g., coordinating councils) contribute to such change is a notoriously difficult research endeavor due in large part to methodological barriers, including those that stem from nonexperimental designs and complex data that are characterized as nested and measured in proportions. This article describes important methodological challenges and proposes innovative techniques to address these challenges. Specifically, multilevel modeling is applied to examine two key systems markers, including protection order and domestic violence program referral rates over time in one state. For each marker, the methodological approach is highlighted and innovations in employing multilevel modeling are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, javdani2@illinois.edu.
authors.forename: Shabnam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Javdani
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign.
authors.forename: Nicole E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: DePaul University, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Nathan R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign.
authors.forename: Carolyn J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D017579:Domestic Violence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033222:Judicial Role; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012107:Research Design; D012922:Social Change; D012947:Social Work; D013179:Spouse Abuse
keywords: collaboration; coordinated community response; coordinating council; domestic violence shelter/program; multilevel modeling; systems change