Compared to What? A Meta-analysis of Batterer Intervention Studies using Non-Treated Controls or Comparisons

Abstract

**Please note that the full text is embargoed** ABSTRACT: This meta-analysis updates the literature on the effectiveness of batterer intervention programs (BIPs) in decreasing recidivism of domestic violence (DV) by focusing on studies with nontreated comparison groups (N=17). Included studies were published between 1986 and 2016, and 14 of the 17 provided sufficient information for the meta-analytic analysis. Analysis focused on three reported outcomes: DV recidivism reported by the criminal justice system, intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration assessed by the survivor, and general offence recidivism reported by the criminal justice system. Results of meta-analysis indicated that BIPs were effective in decreasing DV recidivism and general offense recidivism when reported by the criminal justice system, but not when assessed by the survivor. BIP participants were about 3 times less likely to have DV recidivism and about 2.5 times less likely to have general offense recidivism, compared to non-treated control/comparison groups. The pooled effect size varied, however, by research design. Specifically, results indicated a non-significant pooled effect size for randomized controlled trials but a significant pooled effect size for quasi-experimental design studies. Implications for future practice and research are discussed [This is a post-print of an article published by SAGE in Journal of Trauma, Violence, and Abuse on July 30, 2019, available online: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/152483801986592]