Evaluating Readability of Domestic Violence Information Found on Domestic Violence State Coalitions' Websites

ABSTRACT

With the popularity of the Internet, more and more individuals are accessing health and mental health information from an array of websites. Yet, health literacy has emerged as barrier despite easier access to health information. The U.S. Department of Education (1986) stated that educational materials should be no higher than 8th grade reading level; yet, the reality is that often information written is above this level. This study examined the grade reading level and readability (as measured by the SMOG, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and the Flesch Reading Ease) of domestic violence materials on the websites of domestic violence state coalitions. Findings indicated that the average grade reading level of the domestic violence materials were statistically significantly higher than the 8th grade standard. This was true regardless of the region where the domestic violence state coalitions were located. Implications for social service providers were discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Grade reading level
• readability
• domestic violence
• state coalitions
• health literacy