Path Model of Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Violence Among Couples in the United States

• NCJ Number: 205962
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2004 Pages: 127-142
• Author(s): John Schafer; Raul Caetano; Carol B. Cunradi
• Editor(s): Jon R. Conte
• Date Published: February 2004
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): AAK0200319; R37AA10199
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services; National Ctr on Minority Health and Health Disparities
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study attempted to identify the impact of drinking problems, impulsivity, and a history of childhood physical abuse on both male-to-female (MFIPV) and female-to-male intimate partner violence (FMIPV).

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health concern in the United States and worldwide, and research has shown that several factors are known to be associated with IPV, such as alcohol and impulsivity. Research has also shown the possibility that childhood abuse is associated with impulsivity, which in turn can result in aggressive or violent behavior. The principle objective of this study was to examine the impact of impulsivity, physical abuse, and drinking problems on both MFIPV and FMIPV. Data were collected from a representative national sample of couples living in the contiguous 48 States in 1995. Using a multistage probability sampling design, face-to-face interviews were conducted in respondents’ homes, privately with each member of 1,635 couples. A subset of the couples was selected for these analyses in which partners’ ethnic identities matched. A complex path model using earlier work was tested for the 354 African-American couples, 521 Hispanic couples, and 552 White couples (all heterosexual); a history of child abuse in the partners represented the exogenous variable set, followed by impulsivity and the presence of alcohol problems in the model. Analysis of the data found that impulsivity, alcohol problems, and childhood physical abuse were differentially associated with reports of MFIVP and FMIPV as a function of ethnicity and gender. These results suggest that early childhood experiences with violence victimization are associated with impulsivity and drinking problems later in life, which are all associated with higher levels of reported IPV among U.S. couples. Study limitations are discussed. 2 tables, 3 figures, 2 notes, and 49 references