Poster #29

State Standards for Substance Use in Domestic Violence Intervention Programs

By: Alexa Sotiroff. Co-authored by Julianne Berte, Aviva Hamel, and Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling, PhD.

Abstract:

A recent meta-analysis of 25 treatment studies involving over 20,000 domestically violent (DV) batterers indicated that domestic violence intervention programs (DVIPs) generally have a medium positive effect on reducing likelihood of recidivism as measured by official records, but no positive effect as measured by couples’ self-reports of violence (Arce et al., 2020). Thus, enhancing the effectiveness of DVIPs continues to be of paramount importance. However, changes in DVIP content and delivery are likely to occur on a state-by-state basis as most U.S. states provide policy recommendations and requirements for DVIP length, content, and treatment rationale. The degree to which state policy aligns with research advances related to DV perpetrators is understudied. For example, recent research indicates that DV perpetrators often have co-occurring conditions, such as substance use disorders, that significantly impact their ability to engage with, and benefit from, treatment. Thus, the present study examined the extent to which current state-specific DVIP policies address how perpetrator substance use is to be assessed, addressed with psychoeducation, and treated within DVIPs. Relevant governing documents were obtained from all states with current practices available (n=47; 94%). State substance abuse related DVIP policy was assessed with good interrater reliability (IRR= 83.3%). DVIPs were generally encouraged to assess substance use in perpetrators at program outset (n=41 states). However, fewer were directed to address substance use within their curriculum (n=26). Even fewer required follow-up of the perpetrator’s substance use during and after DVIP participation (n=14). Efforts to align policy with research findings related to increasing treatment effectiveness are necessary as are efforts to determine policy adherence across states.

alexa sotiroff

Alexa is a second year student in the Clinical Health Psychology program. Alexa is originally from Michigan and attended the University of Michigan for her B.A. in Psychology. Her research interests lie at the intersection between clinical psychology and forensic psychology, specifically in perpetrators of violent behavior. In the future, she hopes to have a career that is grounded in research.