Attrition in Batterers' Counseling: The Role of Social and Demographic Factors

This study was designed to assess the extent to which social and demographic characteristics predict noncompletion of therapy by spouse batterers. Characteristics that were significantly associated with noncompletion of treatment were employment status, relationship to victim, timing of abuse, arrest record, alcohol problems, motivation to terminate violent behavior, age, income, and age of partner. In combination, however, these factors only improve prediction of noncompletion by about 12 percent over what would be obtained by chance. Although not measured in this study, the anticipated responses of either the criminal justice system or the batterer's mate to termination of treatment are hypothesized to be key determinants of attrition.