Relationship Between Childhood Violence and Alcohol Problems Among Men Who Batter: An Empirical Review and Synthesis

• NCJ Number: 167679
• Journal: Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1996) Pages: 327-344
• Author(s): W R Downs; N J Smyth; B A Miller
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01AA07554
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Available literature indicates that experiences of childhood violence are related to mediator variables, including antisocial behavior and depressive symptomatology associated with the development of alcohol problems and the perpetration of partner violence for men in adulthood.

Abstract

The literature also shows that experiences of childhood violence and more strongly the observation of interparental violence during childhood predict the perpetration of partner violence in adulthood for males, that the presence of partner violence is associated with certain types of alcohol problems for men, and that both partner violence and alcohol problems are associated with marital conflict. Much of the literature, however, has often excluded important moderator variables, such as history of familial and parental alcohol problems and history of parental psychiatric disorders. Two indirect pathways between childhood and violence and adulthood problems, i.e., alcohol problems and partner violence, are proposed as guides for future research in the areas of family violence and alcohol problems for men. Further, bidirectional associations between alcohol problems and partner violence are examined, and the inclusion of important moderator and mediator variables in multivariate research designs is suggested. Implications of the research findings for clinicians who provide alcoholism and other drug treatment services are discussed. 91 references