Head-Injured Males: A Population at Risk for Relationship Aggression?

• NCJ Number: 153354
• Journal: Violence and Victims Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: special issue (Summer 1994) Pages: 153-166
• Author(s): W J Warnken; A Rosenbaum; K E Fletcher; S K Hoge; S A Adelman
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 14 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH144812
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Several recent studies suggest that head injury may be a potentially useful factor in explaining certain types of aggressive behavior, and the current study demonstrates an association between head injury and marital aggression using a sample of male batterers and appropriate comparison groups.

Abstract

Potential subjects for the study were generated through a computer search of hospital medical records. This procedure identified 982 men who had sustained an orthopedic or a head injury between 1985 and 1990. After evaluating each potential subject according to established criteria, the final sample included 33 head-injured men and 42 orthopedically injured men. Questionnaires mailed to men and their current partners included the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS), the Locke-Wallace Short Marital Adjustment Test, and the Hollingshead Four Factor Index-Modified. Analysis of CTS data failed to show differences between head- injured and orthopedically injured men. On the other hand, head- injured males and their partners exhibited status incompatibility, with the female partner having the higher status job. Head-injured males reported postinjury problems with their temper, reduced self-control, more arguments with their partner and others, and more yelling. Postinjury changes were confirmed by partners who also felt that head-injured men were more likely to smash things and to get into more frequent fights. In addition, partners of head-injured subjects reported more postinjury verbal abuse by men. Head-injured men also had lower self-esteem and more difficulty in communicating and in expressing themselves verbally. Alcohol use was implicated as a factor in aggression. Finally, head-injured men and their partners reported that men were more depressed and angry since the injury, that they experienced more negative changes in their relationships, and that they felt less close to each other. Risk factors in relationship aggression and marital discord are examined. 49 references and 2 tables