Time-varying risk factors for reassault among batterer program participants

This study uses longitudinal data to identify "risk markers" for reassault among batterer program participants. Data are from 308 men and their partne rs collected at five, 3-month intervals. Time-varying situational and behav ioral risk factors, as well as time-invariant individual characteristics, a re examined. The most influential risk markers, in terms of relative risk a nd level of statistical significance, were time-varying: 2 measures of the mans drunkenness during the follow-up interval in which the reassault occur red (OR: 3.5-16.3; p > .0005). Other included time-varying batterer charact eristics hod no significant effect on reassault. Two significant time-invar iant batterer risk factors were (1) severe psychopathology and (2) a histor y of non-domestic violence arrest, both measured at intake. Results suggest that batterers' drinking behavior after program intake may provide an impo rtant and easily observed "marker" for risk of reassault and that predictio n of reassault with individual risk factors at program intake remains probl ematical.