Alcohol and Violence Related Cognitive Risk Factors Associated with the Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence

• NCJ Number: 206905
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 249-253
• Author(s): Craig A. Field; Raul Caetano; Scott Nelson
• Date Published: August 2004
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationship between alcohol use, violence-related cognitive risk factors, and impulsivity with the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) among a large probability sample of current drinkers.

Abstract

Previous research has established a strong association between IPV and alcohol use. Certainly personality characteristics, such as impulsivity, have also been linked with both alcohol use and violence. The current study expanded on this previous research by focusing on the association between cognitive risk factors such as approval of marital aggression, alcohol as an excuse for misbehavior, and aggressive expectations following alcohol consumption and the perpetration of IPV, controlling for impulsivity among a group of current drinkers. Participants were 1,468 couples age 18 years or older who were interviewed in 1995 concerning physically violent behaviors perpetrated against their intimate partners during the past year. Participants also completed Likert scales pertaining to alcohol as an excuse for misbehavior, approval of martial violence, aggressive expectations following alcohol use, and impulsivity. Results of statistical analyses indicated that 15 percent of participants engaged in IPV. Additionally, 24 percent of those who approved of marital violence, 11 percent who relied on alcohol use as an excuse for misbehavior, 10 percent of those who reported aggressive expectations following alcohol use, and 14 percent of those reporting impulsivity also reported engagement in IPV. When ethnicity, education, income, age, gender, and impulsivity were controlled, those who reported strong or very strong expectations of aggressive behavior following alcohol use were 3.2 times more likely to perpetrate IPV. The expectation of aggressive behavior following alcohol use was the strongest predictor of engagement in IPV among the sample. The findings have implications for the identification and treatment of domestic violence offenders who are also current drinkers. Tables, references