NCJ Number
191897
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2001 Pages: 385-400
Date Published
December 2001
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the influence of race and other demographic characteristics on session attendance and dropout from a cognitive-behavioral treatment program for male domestic abusers (n=101).
Abstract
Of the 101 participants, 40 were African-Americans and 61 were Caucasians. All of the demographic data for this study were collected through structured interviews with participants during the initial intake session. Attendance at treatment sessions was recorded during the course of treatment by group therapists, and the total number of group sessions completed by each participant was used for this study. In addition to number of sessions completed, a dichotomous dummy-coded dependent variable differentiated completers from dropouts. A "dropout" was defined as a person who failed to attend at least 75 percent of scheduled group sessions. Multiple regression analyses found that lower session attendance was significantly predicted by unemployed status and African-American race. Other demographic factors could not account for the race differences in session attendance. Race was the strongest predictor of dropout and session attendance in all analyses. Racial composition of treatment groups was not significantly related to the number of sessions attended for Caucasian or African-American clients. Although the combined (interactive) effect of race and referral source on number of sessions was not statistically significant, the pattern of means suggested that self-referred African-Americans were at the greatest risk for dropping out. Results suggest that race differences in dropping out and the mechanisms that account for these differences deserve more clinical and research attention in treatment for domestic abusers. 5 tables and 31 references