Intimate partner violence and substance use: a longitudinal day-to-day examination

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Criminology
• Public Health

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue.
• Substance use by perpetrators is frequently associated with increased aggression.
• Understanding the specific substances linked to male-to-female physical aggression is crucial for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between male partners' substance use and the likelihood of male-to-female physical aggression.
• To identify specific psychoactive substances that may increase the risk of partner violence.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study over 15 months.
• Participants included 149 married or cohabiting men in drug abuse treatment programs.
• Daily substance use and physical aggression were recorded and analyzed, controlling for antisocial personality disorder and relationship distress.

Main Results:

• Male-to-female physical aggression was significantly more likely on days of substance use compared to days of no use.
• Alcohol and cocaine use were specifically associated with a higher daily likelihood of physical aggression.
• Cannabis and opiate use did not show a significant association with increased physical aggression.

Conclusions:

• Male partner substance use is a significant risk factor for male-to-female physical aggression.
• Targeting alcohol and cocaine use in male perpetrators may be a key strategy in reducing IPV.
• Further research should explore the nuances of different substance types and their impact on intimate partner violence.