Citation

Priester MA, Kulkarni S, Mennicke A, Bell BA. Violence Vict. 2019; 34(2): 296-311.

Affiliation

College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Springer Publishing)

DOI

10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-17-00067

PMID

31019013

Abstract

Batterer intervention programs' (BIPs) curriculum have been criticized for their one-size-fits-all approach to rehabilitation with recent research suggesting specialized and client-centric approaches to batterer intervention may be more effective than traditional programming. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been examined as a risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and numerous studies suggest a relationship between ACEs and low mental health treatment engagement. However, absent from the conversation is how ACEs may influence BIP treatment engagement and more specifically how ACEs influence BIP program attendance and attrition. The current study used administrative data from a sample of 268 men enrolled in a county-operated BIP to explore this question. BIP participants who experienced any ACEs, only household dysfunction ACEs, and/or both household dysfunction ACEs and child abuse/neglect ACEs had decreased odds of BIP attrition compared to participants with no ACEs. These findings have practical implications regarding screening, service delivery, and BIP curricula and highlight additional research needed on this topic.

© Copyright 2019 Springer Publishing Company, LLC.

Language: en

Keywords

adverse childhood experiences; batterer intervention programs; child abuse; household dysfunction; intimate partner violence perpetration