NCJ Number
188808
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 161-172
Date Published
April 2001
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article examines the perceived effects of substance use within gay male relationships.
Abstract
The article was based on in-depth interviews with 25 men in the Dallas and Fort Worth metropolitan area. The men were selected because they had experience with domestic violence in a same-sex relationship, and were at least 23 years of age, which seems to be the age where one comes to terms with homosexuality. The article expands on previously published works by examining respondents' perceptions of the role of alcohol and other drug use in causing substance use-related domestic violence. Three perceptions emerged from the data: (1) drugs and alcohol use was perceived to be causally related to domestic violence experienced by respondents; (2) respondents believed substance abuse resulted from the violence; it was used as a coping mechanism; and (3) many respondents did not believe there was any association between substance abuse and violence. The article claims it is unclear whether the pharmacological effects of alcohol alone or cultural expectations of alcohol contribute to violence. However, alcohol consumption and subsequent violence never occur in a vacuum. Social conditions and individuals' cultural views on domestic violence, effects of alcohol, drinking styles, and communication styles require further investigation. Table, notes, references