Intervention program dropout among perpetrators of intimate partner violence: a meta-analysis of correlated variables

Abstract

Dropout in perpetrator intervention programs (PIPs) is extensively documented in the literature, yet findings across various studies exhibit global inconsistency. This meta-analysis aimed to identify dropout rates among individuals attending PIPs and examine sociodemographic, violence-related, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and external variables related to dropout. A search was conducted across six databases, encompassing studies published between 2010 and 2022 in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Thirty manuscripts, comprising data from 31 independent samples, were included. Dropout rates varied from 9% to 67%. Bivariate analysis results indicated that younger age (OR=0.69), non-White ethnicity (OR=1.54), unemployment (OR=1.78), offender typology other than family only (OR=2.45), substance abuse (OR=1.78), presenting a personality disorder (OR=1.21), engaging in problematic leisure activities (OR=1.28), possessing a greater criminal history (OR=1.47), and experiencing more adversity in childhood (OR=1.44) were significantly correlated with dropout. Additionally, the inclusion of motivational strategies in treatment (OR=0.44) significantly decreased the likelihood of dropout. Results from multivariate analyses revealed that younger age (OR=0.63), presenting a personality disorder (OR=1.73), and experiencing more adversity in childhood (OR=2.16) were significantly associated with dropout. Notably, intimate partner violence characteristics established a significant negative relation with dropout (OR=0.59). Findings indicate that variables associated with dropout align with those related to general and intimate partner violence recidivism, suggesting that individuals requiring more intensive intervention are those who derive less benefit from it.