Marital Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among Women Substance Abusers: A Descriptive Study

• NCJ Number: 196216
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 8 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2002 Pages: 934-952
• Author(s): Gregory L. Stuard; Susan E. Ramsey; Todd M. Moore; Christopher W. Kahler; Lyette E. Farrell; Patricia R. Recupero; Richard A. Brown
• Date Published: August 2002
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1K23AA13231-01; AA10958-01A1
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study evaluated the impact of outpatient hospitalization treatment for women’s substance abuse and the extent to which treatment decreases marital violence and psychological abuse.

Abstract

This is the first known study to report on the prevalence and frequency of wife victimization and wife-to-husband physical and psychological aggression subsequent to wives receiving individual substance abuse treatment. The hypothesis was that there would be reductions in female-to-male violence and psychologically abusive behaviors subsequent to substance abuse treatment. Also, there would be decreased male-to-female violence and psychologically aggressive behaviors subsequent to the females obtaining substance abuse treatment. Participants included 10 women recruited from an intensive day and evening alcohol treatment program at Butler Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Of these female patients, nine of their male relationship partners also participated in the study; one male partner declined participation. A demographics questionnaire was administered to each participant at baseline. Other methods used were structured clinical interviews for diagnostic criteria and accurate recall, and tests for violent behavior and marital adjustment. Results show that the prevalence and frequency of husband-to-wife marital violence decreased from baseline to 6- and 12-month follow-up. There was a slight increase in the frequency of husband-to-wife psychological abuse over time. There were decreases in the wives’ substance use over time. There was a decline in the prevalence and frequency of wives’ use of marital violence over time, as well as a decrease in the frequency of psychological aggression used by wives. It is noteworthy that husbands reported decreases in their use of violence toward their wives subsequent to their wives receiving substance abuse treatment. These findings highlight the potential positive impact of substance abuse treatment on decreasing both patient and partner violence. However, data indicated that the frequency of husband psychological abuse actually increased from baseline to 12-month follow-up. The study also revealed very little change in husbands’ and wives’ marital satisfaction over time. 2 tables, 69 references