Prediction of intimate partner violence by type of substance use disorder

Social and Psychological Mediators of Sexual and Physical Male-Perpetrated Intimate Partner Violence Against Young African American Women: The Role of Alcohol Use and Drinking Context

Problem alcohol use is prevalent among women who experience male-perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV). However, the pathways by which this occurs remain poorly understood and understudied among African American women. This study sought to examine context-specific social and psychological mediators of this association. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we tested a conceptual framework predicting problem alcohol use within 3 months of experiencing physical and/or sexual IPV. The sample included 508 young African American women (median age 21, interquartile range 19-22 years). A modified SEM met prespecified global and local fit index criteria. The model identified four indirect paths from IPV to problem alcohol use. Three of the paths were through the endorsement of drinking contexts: negative coping, social drinking, and intimate drinking. Negative coping and social drinking emerged as the most salient pathways (β = .431, 95% CI [0.107, 0.754]; β = .472 [0.103, 0.841], respectively). A fourth path operated via depressive symptomatology and negative coping. The model predictors explained 35% of the variance in problem alcohol use; findings were consistent with full mediation of IPV and problem drinking. These findings increase the understanding of problem alcohol use among African American women who experience IPV and identify modifiable context-specific risk factors for problem alcohol use. Interventions to reduce problem drinking could incorporate trauma-informed counseling, as part of integrated IPV and substance use care, to reduce depressive symptomatology and enhance drinking refusal skills in response to situational drinking.

Substance Misuse, Executive Function, and Young Adult Intimate Partner Violence: Direct and Indirect Pathways

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant issue in young adult relationships, with immediate and long-term health and well-being consequences. The factors contributing to IPV are complex and span from the level of individual neurobiology to the wider socioecological system. The interplay across these domains in predicting IPV has been understudied. We, therefore, aimed to examine the factors contributing to IPV risk among young adults, adopting a holistic approach considering direct and indirect contributions of socioecological influences in a cohort of high-risk subjects. Data were from a longitudinal birth cohort established in 1991 comparing the developmental trajectories of individuals prenatally exposed to substances including cocaine and nonexposed individuals. Using data from a subsample of 206 participants followed between 2010 and 2020, we implemented path analysis to examine direct and indirect pathways between prenatal drug exposure (PDE) and young adult IPV. We considered the contributions of childhood maltreatment, maternal education, ethnicity, early adolescent substance use, and late adolescent executive function. Sex-specific effects were also explored. There were no significant direct or indirect associations between PDE and IPV. There was evidence of an indirect effect of low maternal education on IPV via effects on early adolescent substance use and subsequent effects on executive function in late adolescence. There was tentative evidence of an effect of ethnicity on IPV risk and of sex differences in the pathways contributing to IPV risk among males and females. We highlight the importance of executive function in young adult IPV risk and suggest considering maternal education and early adolescent substance use as additional contributors to IPV risk. Preventing IPV among young adults may involve enhancing executive functioning and preventing early substance misuse. When examining pathways contributing to IPV risk, it is necessary to adopt a framework integrating the wider socioecological environment.

Psychopathy checklist-youth version scores and recurring victimisation by an intimate partner in a justice-involved sample: A comparison of young men and women using longitudinal data

BACKGROUND

People involved in the criminal justice system are at increased risk of recurring intimate partner violent (IPV) victimisation. Experience of trauma is linked to a variety of negative outcomes, including repeated experiences, so it is important to identify factors that may distinguish non-victims, single-event victims and recurring victims at an early stage as this could hold potential for intervention efforts. Research studies have identified individual-level risk factors for IPV victimisation but have not investigated psychopathy traits or sex differences.

AIMS

To examine sex differences in psychopathy scores and later IPV victimisation.

METHODS

Using the Pathways to Desistance study, a longitudinal study of 1354 adjudicated adolescent offenders, relationships between psychopathy checklist-youth version (PCL-YV) scores measured during the baseline wave, independent/control variables in wave 6 and self-reported IPV victimisation in wave 7 were explored using multinomial regression models.

RESULTS

Among justice-involved young adults (average age 19), PCL-YV scores differentiated between non-victims, single-event victims and recurring victims. Higher total scores and higher ratings on the antisocial behaviours facet of psychopathy significantly increased the relative risk of recurring victimisation by an intimate partner overall, and specifically of emotional or physical intimate partner violence. For the young women but not the young men, a higher scoring on the interpersonal manipulation facet of psychopathy specifically increased the relative risk of being a recurring victim of any intimate partner violence.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex-specific differences in relationships between high PVL-YV scores and recurring IPV victimisation can be used to screen for risk of repeated trauma for justice-involved young adults, which may change a trajectory of continued involvement in the criminal justice system to a trajectory of resilience and recovery.

High times and troubled relationships: Recreational marijuana laws and intimate partner violence

This study explores the relationship between Recreational Marijuana Laws (RMLs) and intimate partner violence (IPV). While marijuana is often considered harmless, the existing medical literature reveals both positive and negative impacts of its active ingredient on brain function. Utilizing a difference-in-difference methodology spanning 2006-2016 across 39 states, we find that RMLs produce a 20 percent increase in IPV incidents per 100,000 individuals, which appears to be mediated through mental health issues and binge drinking. These findings highlight the likely need for preventive and proactive policies to address the complex interplay of marijuana, RMLs, and IPV.

Ecological investigation of the co-occurrence of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and cannabis use among community women experiencing intimate partner violence

BACKGROUND

Women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) are at increased risk for developing hazardous patterns of cannabis use. Research suggests that women experiencing IPV use cannabis to cope with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. To advance research, we used experience sampling methods to explicate the within-day concurrent and proximal relations between PTSD symptom clusters and cannabis use among women experiencing IPV.

METHOD

Participants were 145 community women (M age = 40.66, 41.6% white, 31.4% Black, 10.9% Hispanic or Latina, 8% American Indian/Alaska Native, 5.8% Bi-/multi-racial) experiencing IPV and using substances who completed three surveys a day for 30 days.

RESULTS

Externalizing behavior (OR = 1.37, 95% CI [1.15, 1.65], p < 0.001) and dysphoric arousal (OR = 1.27, 95% CI [1.09, 1.49], p = 0.002) PTSD symptom clusters were associated with cannabis use reported in the same survey period. Results from the lagged models found no proximal associations between PTSD symptom clusters and cannabis use.

CONCLUSIONS

Results highlight the acute effects of externalizing behavior and dysphoric arousal PTSD symptoms on cannabis use among women experiencing IPV. These findings may inform prevention and intervention efforts for cannabis use in this population.

Manual and instrument asphyxiation/strangulation: Examining perpetrator and victim characteristics

Asphyxiation and strangulation are predominant murder methods, with ligature and hands being common weapons in such attacks. This study examines a broad sample with the goal of establishing statistical significance between manual and instrument asphyxiation/strangulation and both victim and offender characteristics. Two hundred cases of perpetrators who strangled or asphyxiated at least one victim on or after 1970 were randomly selected from the Radford-FGCU Serial Killer Database. Descriptive analysis and association tests were performed for characteristics of the perpetrators, victims and crimes. In 68% of the cases, perpetrators only targeted women. The primary murder motives were sadism (36%) and intense emotions (22%), which were statistically associated with the perpetrators' relationship with their victims, serial killing and motive of asphyxiation. There was a relationship between the perpetrators' favoring the use of manual or ligature strangulation/asphyxiation and their ethnicity, prior history of abuse and the victims' racial/ethnic group. Findings highlight the variety of contexts in which strangulation takes place, ranging from sexually or sadism motivated homicide and intimate partner violence. Moreover, the predominance of manual or ligature asphyxiation/strangulation among different racial/ethnic groups may have implications in legal processes, as well as in risk and threat assessments.

Neuropsychological Performance, Substance Misuse, and Recidivism in Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators

Previous research has pointed out the importance of neuropsychological impairments in intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators for reoffending/recidivism once treatment ends. However, less is known about whether substance misuse is associated with impairments or deficits, which facilitate recidivism. In this study, we first aimed to assess whether IPV perpetrators with (n = 104) and without (n = 120) substance misuse showed differences in specific neuropsychological variables in comparison with non-violent men (n = 82). Second, we examined whether there were differences in IPV perpetrators' recidivism and whether these differences were explained by neuropsychological performance. Our results revealed that IPV perpetrators with substance misuse showed worse cognitive performance than controls. Furthermore, we also found differences between IPV perpetrators without substance misuse and controls, but only in terms of executive functioning. There were no differences in neuropsychological performance between the two groups of IPV perpetrators, although those with substance misuse presented higher recidivism rates than those without substance misuse. Finally, cognitive flexibility, verbal fluency, and worse attention functioning were related to high recidivism in both groups of IPV perpetrators. This study underlies the importance of performing neuropsychological assessments during the initial stages of intervention programs for IPV perpetrators in order to design coadjutant neuropsychological/cognitive training to address not only the psychological needs (including substance misuse) of IPV perpetrators, but also their neuropsychological needs.

Intimate partner violence, substance use, and health comorbidities among women: A narrative review

Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), including physical, sexual, and psychological violence, aggression, and/or stalking, impacts overall health and can have lasting mental and physical health consequences. Substance misuse is common among individuals exposed to IPV, and IPV-exposed women (IPV-EW) are at-risk for transitioning from substance misuse to substance use disorder (SUD) and demonstrate greater SUD symptom severity; this too can have lasting mental and physical health consequences. Moreover, brain injury is highly prevalent in IPV-EW and is also associated with risk of substance misuse and SUD. Substance misuse, mental health diagnoses, and brain injury, which are highly comorbid, can increase risk of revictimization. Determining the interaction between these factors on the health outcomes and quality of life of IPV-EW remains a critical need. This narrative review uses a multidisciplinary perspective to foster further discussion and research in this area by examining how substance use patterns can cloud identification of and treatment for brain injury and IPV. We draw on past research and the knowledge of our multidisciplinary team of researchers to provide recommendations to facilitate access to resources and treatment strategies and highlight intervention strategies capable of addressing the varied and complex needs of IPV-EW.

The feasibility of delivering the ADVANCE digital intervention to reduce intimate partner abuse by men receiving substance use treatment: protocol for a non-randomised multi-centre feasibility study and embedded process evaluation

BACKGROUND

Compared to men in the general population, men in substance use treatment are more likely to perpetrate intimate partner abuse (IPA). The ADVANCE group intervention for men in substance use treatment is tailored to address substance use and IPA in an integrated way. In a feasibility trial pre-COVID, men who received the ADVANCE intervention via face-to-face group delivery showed reductions in IPA perpetration. Due to COVID-19, ADVANCE was adapted for remote digital delivery.

METHODS/DESIGN

This mixed-methods non-randomised feasibility study, with a nested process evaluation, will explore the feasibility and acceptability of delivering the ADVANCE digital intervention to men in substance use treatment who have perpetrated IPA towards a female partner in the past year. Sixty men will be recruited from seven substance use treatment services in Great Britain. The ADVANCE digital intervention comprises a preparatory one-to-one session with a facilitator to set goals, develop a personal safety plan, and increase motivation and a preparatory online group to prepare men for taking part in the intervention. The core intervention comprises six fortnightly online group sessions and 12 weekly self-directed website sessions to recap and practise skills learned in the online group sessions. Each website session is followed by a one-to-one video/phone coaching session with a facilitator. Men will also receive their usual substance use treatment. Men's female (ex) partners will be invited to provide outcome data and offered support from integrated safety services (ISS). Outcome measures for men and women will be sought post intervention (approximately 4 months post male baseline interview). Feasibility parameters to be estimated include eligibility, suitability, consent, recruitment, attendance, retention and follow-up rates. In-depth interviews or focus groups will explore the intervention's acceptability to participants, facilitators and ISS workers. A secondary focus of the study will estimate pre-post-differences in outcome measures covering substance use, IPA, mental health, self-management, health and social care service use, criminal justice contacts and quality of life.

DISCUSSION

Findings will inform the design of a multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the ADVANCE digital intervention for reducing IPA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The feasibility study was prospectively registered: ISRCTN66619273 .

Relationships Between Opioid-Related Hospitalizations and Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment Hospitalizations in Pennsylvania Across Space and Time

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment outcomes are markedly associated with substance abuse disorders. However, few studies have explored these serious family violence outcomes in connection to the opioid epidemic or population-level geographic connections between these variables. This study assesses associations of ZIP code-level IPV and child maltreatment hospitalization outcomes with opioid- and alcohol-related diagnoses as well as economic and demographic neighborhood characteristics. We used 11 years (2004-2014) of ZIP code-level Pennsylvania hospital discharge data and U.S. Census neighborhood characteristics data. As nearby ZIP codes are more likely to be similar than those that are distant, we incorporated spatial autocorrelation using conditionally autoregressive Bayesian hierarchical space-time models. There was a positive relationship between ZIP code-level opioid-related diagnoses and both IPV (relative risk 1.061; 95% credible interval [1.015, 1.106]) and child maltreatment (relative risk 1.055; 95% credible interval [1.035, 1.070]) hospitalizations. There was a positive relationship between alcohol-related diagnoses and IPV but not child maltreatment. Higher median household incomes were associated with lower counts of both IPV and child maltreatment hospitalizations. To illustrate geographic heterogeneity of model estimates, posterior distributions were used to compare variability of effects across ZIP codes. Our findings emphasize the secondary implications of the opioid epidemic in the form of family violence within communities.

Mechanism of penetrating injury mediates the risk of long-term adverse outcomes for survivors of violent trauma

BACKGROUND

While hospital-based violence intervention programs are primarily designed to aid youth victims of gun violence at high risk for reinjury, the root causes and complex outcomes of community violence are varied. In this study, we examined the risk factors for violent penetrating injury and how the risk of adverse outcomes for survivors differs by injury type (stabbing vs. gunshot wound).

METHODS

This retrospective study was performed using a cohort of patients presenting to the Boston Medical Center emergency department for a penetrating injury due to community violence between 2006 and 2016. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the risk of all-cause mortality and violent reinjury within 3 years after surviving a penetrating injury.

RESULTS

Of the 4,280 survivors of the initial violent penetrating injury, there were 88 deaths (2.1%) and 568 violent reinjuries (13.3%) within 3 years. Compared with gunshot wound victims, stab wound victims were 31% less likely to be reinjured with a gunshot wound (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.51-0.93), 72% more likely to be reinjured with a stab wound (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.21-2.43), and 49% more likely to be reinjured by assault (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.14-1.94). While survivors of stabbing and firearm injuries were equally at risk for 3-year all-cause mortality, stab wound victims were 3.75 times more likely to die by a drug/alcohol overdose (HR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.11-20.65).

CONCLUSION

Patients surviving a stab wound have a significantly higher risk of violent reinjury by stabbing or assault, and risk of death by drug/alcohol overdose. Hospital-based violence intervention programs with similar patient populations should explore options to expand partnerships with drug treatment programs. These results illustrate two distinct populations of victims of violence-gunshot victims and stabbing/assault victims-with separate risk factors and outcomes, mediated by substance use disorder.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and Epidemiologic; level III.

Substanzkonsum – Sucht – Gewalt: Zusammenhänge, Risiken, Prävention

Zwischen Substanzkonsum und Gewaltverhalten besteht ein enger Zusammenhang, der durch Schlüsselsituationen, veränderte Risikowahrnehmung und -beurteilung sowie verminderte Aggressionshemmungen gekennzeichnet ist. Zu den aktuellen Konzepten zur Einschätzung des Zusammenhangs zwischen Substanzkonsum und Gewalt zählt das I3-Modell, das die Faktoren Anstiftung, Schlagkraft und Hemmung in einen Zusammenhang zwischen der konsumierenden Person und der Risikosituation bringt. Inzwischen liegen Programme zur Prävention und Intervention bei suchtmittelassoziierter Gewalt vor, wie z. B. TAVIM, die im Behandlungssystem stärkere Verankerung erfahren sollten.

Association between childhood trauma, intimate partner violence, and perceived parental competence among women abusing amphetamine-type stimulant

INTRODUCTION

This cross-sectional study examines the correlation between childhood trauma, intimate partner violence (IPV), and parenting self-efficacy among women who reported using amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) in an institutional drug rehabilitation center.

METHODS

A total of 106 participants were recruited by purposive sampling, of which 88 were mothers. Questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic data and study variables.

RESULTS

Most of these women had experienced emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and physical neglect in their childhood. IPV assessments revealed that 70.5% (n = 74) and 30.5% (n = 32) had experienced physical and sexual violence, respectively. In terms of parenting competency, they scored 79.5% for self-efficacy and 54.4% for parenting satisfaction. Childhood emotional abuse significantly increases the odds of individuals experiencing sexual violence by 20.9%.

DISCUSSION

We found that childhood trauma and IPV did not have a significant relationship with parenting efficacy. Conversely, childhood emotional abuse and physical abuse were negatively correlated to parenting satisfaction. It is imperative that any form of childhood abuse be recognized and stopped early to reduce the harm it brings to women later in life.

Mother's exposure to domestic and community violence and its association with child's behavioral outcomes

This study investigated the potential cumulative effect of maternal exposure to violence both at home and in community on children. This study used the data (N = 2506) from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study. We found that maternal nonphysical victimization, either by witnessing violence in the community or by experiencing psychological domestic violence, had a direct negative effect on children's depression and anxiety. Maternal nonphysical victimization also indirectly elevated child's aggression through mother's use of psychological and physical aggression toward the child. Witnessing community violence by mothers, directly and indirectly, worsened the child's withdrawal behaviors through the mother's psychological aggression toward the child. Mother's direct victimization by community violence and physical domestic violence was not related to child's behavioral outcomes after controlling for other risk factors. This study points to important considerations for devising intervention and prevention for mothers and children. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

ADVANCE integrated group intervention to address both substance use and intimate partner abuse perpetration by men in substance use treatment: a feasibility randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Substance use is a risk factor for intimate partner abuse (IPA) perpetration. Delivering perpetrator interventions concurrently with substance use treatment shows promise.

METHODS

The feasibility of conducting an efficacy and cost-effectiveness trial of the ADVANCE 16-week intervention to reduce IPA by men in substance use treatment was explored. A multicentre, parallel group individually randomised controlled feasibility trial and formative evaluation was conducted. Over three temporal cycles, 104 men who had perpetrated IPA towards a female (ex) partner in the past year were randomly allocated to receive the ADVANCE intervention + substance use treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 54) or TAU only (n = 50) and assessed 16-weeks post-randomisation. Participants' (ex) partners were offered support and 27 provided outcome data. Thirty-one staff and 12 men who attended the intervention participated in focus groups or interviews that were analysed using the framework approach. Pre-specified criteria assessed the feasibility of progression to a definitive trial: 1) ≥ 60% of eligible male participants recruited; 2) intervention acceptable to staff and male participants; 3) ≥ 70% of participants followed-up and 4) levels of substance use and 5) IPA perpetrated by men in the intervention arm did not increase from average baseline level at 16-weeks post-randomisation.

RESULTS

70.7% (104/147) of eligible men were recruited. The formative evaluation confirmed the intervention's acceptability. Therapeutic alliance and session satisfaction were rated highly. The overall median rate of intervention session attendance (of 14 compulsory sessions) was 28.6% (range 14.3-64.3% by the third cycle). 49.0% (51/104) of men and 63.0% (17/27) of their (ex) partners were followed-up 16-weeks post-randomisation. This increased to 100% of men and women by cycle three. At follow-up, neither substance use nor IPA perpetration had worsened for men in the intervention arm.

CONCLUSIONS

It was feasible to deliver the ADVANCE intervention in substance use treatment services, although it proved difficult to collect data from female (ex)partners. While some progression criteria were met, others were not, although improvements were demonstrated by the third cycle. Lessons learned will be implemented into the study design for a definitive trial of the ADVANCE intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN79435190 prospectively registered 22nd May 2018.

Cognitive and Affective Mediators of Alcohol-Facilitated Intimate Partner Aggression

This multisite study examined whether aggressive cognitions and facial displays of negative affect and anger experienced during provocation mediated the association between alcohol intoxication and intimate partner aggression (IPA). Participants were 249 heavy drinkers (148 men, 101 women) with a recent history of IPA perpetration. Participants were randomly assigned to an Alcohol or No-Alcohol Control beverage condition and completed a shock-based aggression task involving apparent provocation by their intimate partner. During provocation, a hidden camera recorded participants' facial expressions and verbal articulations, which were later coded using the Facial Action Coding System and the Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations paradigm. Results indicated that the positive association between alcohol intoxication and partner-directed physical aggression was mediated by participants' aggressive cognitions, but not by negative affect or anger facial expressions. These findings implicate aggressogenic cognitions as a mediating mechanism underlying the association between the acute effects of alcohol and IPA perpetration.

A study protocol to assess the feasibility of conducting an evaluation trial of the ADVANCE integrated intervention to address both substance use and intimate partner abuse perpetration to men in substance use treatment

BACKGROUND

Strong evidence exists that substance use is a contributory risk factor for intimate partner abuse (IPA) perpetration. Men in substance use treatment are more likely to perpetrate IPA than men from the general population. Despite this, referral pathways are lacking for this group. This trial will assess the feasibility of conducting an evaluation trial of a tailored integrated intervention to address substance use and IPA perpetration to men in substance use treatment.

METHODS/DESIGN

ADVANCE is a multicentre, parallel-group individually randomised controlled feasibility trial, with a nested formative evaluation, comparing an integrated intervention to reduce IPA + substance use treatment as usual (TAU) to TAU only. One hundred and eight men who have perpetrated IPA in the past 12 months from community substance use treatment in London, the West Midlands, and the South West will be recruited. ADVANCE is a manualised intervention comprising 2-4 individual sessions (2 compulsory) with a keyworker to set goals, develop a personal safety plan and increase motivation and readiness, followed by a 12-session weekly group intervention delivered in substance use services. Men will be randomly allocated (ratio 1:1) to receive the ADVANCE intervention + TAU or TAU only. Men's female (ex) partners will be invited to provide outcome data and offered support from integrated safety services (ISS). Regular case management meetings between substance use and ISS will manage risk. Outcome measures will be obtained at the end of the intervention (approximately 4 months post-randomisation) for all male and female participants. The main objective of this feasibility trial is to estimate parameters required for planning a definitive trial including rates of consent, recruitment, and follow-up by site and group allocation. Nested formative evaluation including focus groups and in-depth interviews will explore the intervention's acceptability to participants, group facilitators, keyworkers and ISS workers. Secondary outcomes include substance use, IPA, mental health, self-management, health and social care service use, criminal justice contacts, and quality of life.

DISCUSSION

Findings from this feasibility trial will inform the design of a multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the ADVANCE intervention for reducing IPA and improving the well-being of female (ex)partners.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN79435190.

Substance Use, Self-Efficacy, and Differentiation as Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence among Substance-Using Women

Purpose: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent in the U.S., and has many physical and mental health implications. While several studies have explored the impact of IPV experience on individuals, less is known about which factors are predictive of IPV victimization. Method: The current study examined the extent to which substance use, self-efficacy, and differentiation each predicted experiences of IPV among women seeking treatment for a substance use disorder using a multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Results showed that women who reported lower levels of differentiation were significantly more likely to experience IPV. However, no other significant IPV predictors were found. Conclusions: Current findings suggest that differentiation may be an effective therapeutic target for IPV prevention.

A multi-state examination of the victims of fatal adolescent intimate partner violence, 2011-2015

Background:

Fatal intimate partner violence occurs among adolescents, which is often when first exposure to intimate partner violence occurs in the United States. However, research mainly examines intimate partner violence-related fatalities between adult intimate partners. Such findings document that non-intimate partners, corollary victims, are at risk for violence during intimate partner violence incidents, as well. Research examining fatal intimate partner violence among adolescents is scant. This study informs public health of the extent and circumstances of fatal adolescent intimate partner violence by quantifying the burden across a five-year span; describing fatal victims by demographics and precipitating circumstances; and examining differences by victim type.

Methods:

This study used data from 17 states of the United States in the National Violent Death Reporting System to examine fatal intimate partner violence-related incidents involving at least one ado-lescent intimate partner (15-19 years of age) from 2011-2015. IPV-related death cases were guided by the intimate partner violence surveillance criteria prescribed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Decedents were subdivided into intimate partner victims, perpetrator victims, and corollary victims. Victims were described by demographics, victim descriptors, and precipitating circumstances of death. Annual trends and descriptive statistics were calculated.

Results:

There were 93 intimate partner violence-related fatal incidents among adolescents with 116 decedents. A firearm was the predominant weapon. Crises, arguments, jealousy, and physical fights were common precipitating circumstances. Corollary victims represented 18% of all victims, 65% were intimate partner victims, and 17% perpetrator victims. Corollary victims were primarily linked to the suspect by other intimate partners, and friends and acquaintances.

Conclusions:

Intimate partner violence is a preventable public health problem. This study documents that intimate partner violence among adolescents can result in deaths of intimate partners and corollary victims. Effective prevention should begin in early adolescence and incorporate shared and protective risk factors to have the greatest impact on adolescent IPV.

Factors associated with the severity of IPV perpetrated by substance using men towards current partner

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine frequency and correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) severity perpetrated by heterosexual men receiving treatment for substance use towards a current partner in the past 12 months.

Design/methodology/approach

A secondary analysis of a self-reported questionnaire (n=162) completed by men receiving treatment for substance use in England and Brazil was conducted. Types of IPV perpetration (emotional, physical and/or sexual IPV) and frequency of occurrence were assessed. A five level ordinal variable for IPV perpetration severity was created: no IPV, minor; moderate, low severe and high severe. Psychological and cultural correlates of perpetration severity were explored using ordinal logistic regression.

Findings

Approximately four in ten men reported perpetrating IPV towards their partner in the past 12 months, one in ten reported perpetrating severe IPV (including hitting with something, kicking or beating, choking or burning, threatening with/using a weapon, sexual IPV and frequent emotional IPV) during this period. A number of correlates of perpetration severity were identified: experiencing childhood physical abuse, witnessing IPV in childhood, perpetrating IPV in previous relationships, committing violence towards another man, controlling behaviours, technology-facilitated abuse, depressive symptoms, having a substance using partner, receiving treatment for illicit drug use, hazardous drinking and poly-drug use.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the small sample size, small to large positive associations were observed between reporting IPV perpetration and several factors. These factors could be targeted to improve identification and assessment of IPV among men receiving treatment for substance use.

Originality/value

A strength of this study methodology is the use of a specific 12 months time frame for the perpetration of IPV towards current partner. The categorisation of levels of IPV perpetration based on types and frequency of violence occurrence was an additional valuable contribution of this study.

Co-Occurring Substance Use, PTSD, and IPV Victimization: Implications for Female Offender Services

The co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUDs) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women who have been the victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) is complex and causal associations cannot be assumed. Although the presence of co-occurring disorders among IPV victims is a well-established research finding, there is a need for improved understanding of their prevalence and related mental health treatment requirements among female offenders. We review research indicating that service providers working with IPV victims can expect to encounter women with extensive concurrent problems and examine evidence for integrated treatment for SUD, PTSD, and IPV. We propose an outline for assessing and treating SUD and PTSD among female offenders who have experienced IPV victimization. We intend this review to build on previous calls in the co-occurring disorders literature and help integrate the research and treatment evaluation literatures in a way that points to practical implications for policy and practice in female offender services.

Psychosocial Mediators Between Intimate Partner Violence and Alcohol Abuse in Low-Income African American Women

Intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure can increase alcohol use. Although African Americans use less alcohol compared with European Americans, African American women experience disparate rates of IPV, potentially intensifying their alcohol abuse. We used data from 171 African American women to test if IPV was related to alcohol abuse and if psychosocial factors-loneliness, embarrassment, fear of harm, hope, social support, childcare needs, and finances-mediated this link. IPV and alcohol abuse were related, and several factors were related to either IPV or alcohol abuse. Social support was related to both, and it mediated the IPV-alcohol abuse link, explaining women's alcohol abuse relating to IPV.

Intimate partner violence trends in Brazil: data from two waves of the Brazilian National Alcohol and Drugs Survey

OBJECTIVE

To compare intimate partner violence (IPV) prevalence rates in 2006 and 2012 in a nationally representative household sample in Brazil. The associations between IPV and substance use were also investigated.

METHODS

IPV was assessed using the Conflict Tactic Scale-R in two waves (2006/2012) of the Brazilian Alcohol and Drugs Survey. Weighted prevalence rates and adjusted logistic regression models were calculated.

RESULTS

Prevalence rates of IPV victimization decreased significantly, especially among women (8.8 to 6.3%). The rates of IPV perpetration also decreased significantly (10.6 to 8.4% for the overall sample and 9.2 to 6.1% in men), as well as the rates of bidirectional violence (by individuals who were simultaneously victims and perpetrators of violence) (3.2 to 2.4% for the overall sample). Alcohol increased the likelihood of being a victim (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6) and perpetrator (OR = 2.4) of IPV. Use of illicit drugs increased up to 4.5 times the likelihood of being a perpetrator.

CONCLUSIONS

In spite of the significant reduction in most types of IPV between 2006 and 2012, violence perpetrated by women was not significantly reduced, and the current national rates are still high. Further, this study suggests that use of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs plays a major role in IPV. Prevention initiatives must take drug misuse into consideration.

Violence narratives of Mexican women treated in mutual-aid residential centers for addiction treatment

Background

Violence against women is a social and public health issue in Mexico. The aim of this article is to explore violence among an understudied group of women, who attended Mutual-Aid Residential Centers for Addiction Treatment and experienced stigma both as women and addicts. These centers are particular kind of addiction treatment services that stem from 12-step philosophy, but that have been found to manipulate said philosophy and exercise extreme forms of psychological and physical violence.

Methods

Thirteen semi-structured interviews were carried in 2014 and 2015 out with women who resided in at least one of these centers to understand their experiences of violence prior and during their rehabilitation process. The interview guide covered questions regarding substance use initiations, family violence and dynamics, and rehabilitation experiences. Qualitative data was analyzed using interpretative-phenomenological analysis.

Results

Two categories emerged: violence and substance use and abuse, and violence against women in recovery. Results show that all participants experienced violence in their family since childhood, particularly sexual and physical violence. As a result, participants experienced guilt, sadness and shame, which led them to contexts of consumption. Violence continued as they explored alcohol and drug use, even though women felt empowered.

Conclusions

Treatment reproduced masculine violence constantly, but women felt that they were in a context that helped them understand their addiction. Even though women felt these centers played a crucial role in their recovery, women’s particular needs and experiences are not considered in the treatment program.

Therapeutic interventions in intimate partner violence: an overview

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and its prevention is a global public health priority. There is strong scientific evidence that suggests IPV and symptoms such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, chronic pain, etc. are linked. Despite recommendations and various interventions for the treatment of IPV that have been tried in these last 20 years, the rates of recurrence are still too high. Furthermore, there is a lack of research evidence for the effectiveness of the most common treatments provided for victims and perpetrators of IPVs. The purpose of this paper is to present most used, at a global level, therapeutic interventions for women experiencing IPV (as well as treatments for perpetrators). The possibility of building a preliminary theoretical and clinical model is discussed.

Hazardous Alcohol Use Associated with Increased Sexual Risk Behaviors Among People Who Inject Drugs

BACKGROUND

Alcohol is associated with a multitude of severe health consequences. While risk behaviors related to illicit drug use are commonly studied among people who inject drugs (PWID), the role of alcohol use has received substantially less attention in this population. We explored whether drug and sexual risk behaviors as well as experiences of violence were associated with hazardous alcohol use in a cohort of PWID.

METHODS

Analyses were conducted using observational data from a prospective cohort of community-recruited HIV-negative PWID in Vancouver, Canada. We used the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism definition of hazardous alcohol use (i.e., >14 drinks/wk or >4 drinks on 1 occasion for men, and >7 drinks/wk or >3 drinks on 1 occasion for women). We used multivariable generalized estimating equations (GEE) to identify the factors associated with hazardous alcohol use.

RESULTS

Between 2006 and 2012, 1,114 HIV-negative individuals were recruited, and 186 (16.7%) reported hazardous alcohol use in the previous 6 months at baseline. In multivariable GEE analyses, having multiple sex partners (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.25), history of sexually transmitted infection (AOR = 1.50), experiencing violence (AOR = 1.36), and incarceration (AOR = 1.29) were each independently associated with hazardous alcohol use. Caucasian ethnicity (AOR = 0.56), ≥ daily heroin injection (AOR = 0.81), and engagement in addiction treatment (AOR = 0.84) were negatively associated with hazardous alcohol use (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable proportion of PWID reported hazardous alcohol use, which was independently associated with reporting sexual, but not drug-related, HIV risk behaviors and experiencing recent violence. Findings suggest a need to integrate regular screening and evidence-based alcohol interventions into treatment efforts for PWID.

Factors associated with physical or sexual intimate partner violence perpetration by men attending substance misuse treatment in Catalunya: A mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

Prevalence of intimate partner violence perpetration is higher among male substance misusers than men in the general population. Previous studies have included few risk factors, limiting their capacity to inform interventions.

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine factors associated with intimate partner violence by male substance misusers.

METHODS

Two hundred and thirty-five men in treatment for substance misuse completed surveys that included the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale and the Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory (PMWI). Variables significant in bivariate analyses were entered into multiple logistic regression analyses. Seventeen in-depth interviews were conducted with perpetrators and analysed using a framework approach.

RESULTS

Just over a third of the men (34%) had been violent in the last year to their current/most recent partner. After excluding the men's own domestic victimisation from the multivariate model, perpetratation of such violence was significantly and independently associated with lower level of education, having higher PMWI dominance-isolation and emotional-verbal subscale scores and parents who had separated/divorced, and at a lower level of significance, childhood physical abuse, hazardous drinking and cocaine as the principal drug for which treatment was sought. Interview data suggested that perpetrators 'blamed' alcohol or cocaine use, jealousy, control and provocation or 'fighting back' for their behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

Intimate partner violence is common among men attending substance misuse treatment. Integrated interventions should that address both intimate partner violence and substance misuse should be considered. Areas for intervention would include reducing dominating-isolating behaviours and emotional-verbal abuse, improving communication skills, challenging gender-specific roles and believing that substance use 'causes' violent behaviour.

Does Marijuana Use Contribute to Intimate Partner Aggression? A Brief Review and Directions for Future Research

Marijuana users are more likely to perpetrate intimate partner aggression (IPA) than non-users, yet the mechanism responsible for this association is unknown. Recent studies considering the association between episodes of marijuana use and episodes of IPA have failed to find evidence consistent with an acute effect of marijuana. Research gaps are highlighted and a heuristic model of marijuana's potential effects on IPA is presented. Research priorities include consideration of mediating mechanisms, moderating variables at the individual and couple level, and examination of acute effects of marijuana using daily report and EMA designs.

Substance Use and Physical Dating Violence: The Role of Contextual Moderators

INTRODUCTION

Theoretic models suggest that associations between substance use and dating violence perpetration may vary in different social contexts, but few studies have examined this proposition. The current study examined whether social control and violence in the neighborhood, peer, and family contexts moderate the associations between substance use (heavy alcohol use, marijuana, and hard drug use) and adolescent physical dating violence perpetration.

METHODS

Adolescents in the eighth, ninth, and tenth grades completed questionnaires in 2004 and again four more times until 2007 when they were in the tenth, 11th, and 12th grades. Multilevel analysis was used to examine interactions between each substance and measures of neighborhood, peer, and family social control and violence as within-person (time-varying) predictors of physical dating violence perpetration across eighth through 12th grade (N=2,455). Analyses were conducted in 2014.

RESULTS

Physical dating violence perpetration increased at time points when heavy alcohol and hard drug use were elevated; these associations were weaker when neighborhood social control was higher and stronger when family violence was higher. Also, the association between heavy alcohol use and physical dating violence perpetration was weaker when teens had more-prosocial peer networks and stronger when teens' peers reported more physical dating violence.

CONCLUSIONS

Linkages between substance use and physical dating violence perpetration depend on substance use type and levels of contextual violence and social control. Prevention programs that address substance use-related dating violence should consider the role of social contextual variables that may condition risk by influencing adolescents' aggression propensity.

Substance use and mental health disorders are linked to different forms of intimate partner violence victimisation

BACKGROUND

Substance and mental health disorders convey significant health burdens and impair interpersonal relationships. We tested associations between comorbid substance and mental health disorders and different forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by young adults.

METHOD

Mothers (n = 6703) were recruited during pregnancy to the longitudinal Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy. Mother/offspring dyads were followed up from birth to 21 years. Offspring with complete psychiatric data at 21 years who reported having had an intimate partnership were included (n = 1781). Participants' experiences of psychological, physical and severe combined IPV were assessed at 21 years using a summarised form of the Composite Abuse Scale. We used the Composite International Diagnostic Interview to obtain lifetime diagnoses of mental health and substance disorders. Multivariable logistic regression models of each IPV form were adjusted for individual, family and neighbourhood factors during adolescence, and for other forms of IPV.

RESULTS

We have shown specific links between different forms of IPV experienced and individual substance and mental health disorders. Mental health disorders were related to all three forms of IPV, while alcohol disorders were linked to psychological IPV (ORAUD = 1.86; 1.21-2.86) and illicit substance disorders to physical IPV (ORSUD = 2.07; 1.25-3.43). The co-occurrence of related disorders was strongly linked to psychological and physical IPV.

CONCLUSIONS

Intimate partner violence was experienced by both men and women. Substance and mental health disorders were associated with specific forms of IPV victimisation, suggesting that screening IPV clients and mental health/substance disorder patients for the converse problems may be important for intervention planning.

Advancing our knowledge of the complexity and management of intimate partner violence and co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems in women

Globally, intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive and insidious human rights problem with significant adverse physical health outcomes for women. Intimate partner violence has also been closely associated with poor mental health and substance use problems. However, little is known about the relationship among these co-occurring problems and how to best intervene or manage them. Here, we present findings from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses (where available) to highlight developments in understanding and managing the complex co-occurring problems of intimate partner violence and mental health and substance use in women.

Gender, psychopathy factors, and intimate partner violence

The present study sheds light on relationships between distinct psychopathic traits and perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) in women versus men. Men and women with recent drug and/or violence histories (N = 250) were assessed for psychopathic traits using the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version and for their and their partner's use of IPV with the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale. The first goal was to examine the moderating role of gender in psychopathy factor relationships to IPV. Although both the interpersonal-affective traits (Factor1) and the impulsive-antisocial traits (Factor 2) of psychopathy were related to higher frequency of IPV perpetration, the relationship between Factor 1 and IPV was stronger in men. Our second goal examined the moderating role of psychopathy traits in the relationship between partner's perpetration of IPV and participant perpetration (mutual violence) in the 2 genders. Relationships between partner- and self-IPV were similar at both low and high levels of Factor 1 in men, although the partner- and self-IPV relationship was significantly stronger among women at low relative to high levels of Factor 1. The relationship between partner- and self-IPV was stronger at high levels of Factor 2 in men, whereas Factor 2 did not moderate mutual violence in women. These results indicate that relationships between psychopathy factors and IPV differ by gender, with psychopathy generally exacerbating IPV perpetration in men and Factor 1 traits playing a unique role in mutual violence in women. These findings add to the literature on female psychopathy and have important implications for future research on gender and IPV. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).