Causal attributions of impulsive and compulsive behaviors

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant issue in Europe, with prevalence rates of 16-23%.
• Aggression, a precursor to GBV, can be impulsive or compulsive, often linked to alcohol and/or drug consumption.
• Current treatment approaches for aggression against women require further advancement, necessitating a deeper understanding of offender motivations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of physical and verbal aggression within intimate partner relationships.
• To investigate the influence of alcohol and/or drug use on perpetration of partner aggression.
• To analyze these experiences within the context of the prison population.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative techniques was employed.
• 140 male participants were divided into two groups: those with (SAD) and without (NSAD) alcohol and/or drug consumption.
• Data were collected using the Demographic, Criminal and Behavioral Interview in Penitentiary Institutions, the Gender Violence Questionnaire, and the MultiCAGE CAD-4 Questionnaire, followed by thematic and contingency table analyses.

Main Results:

• The SAD group attributed their aggressive actions to alcohol and/or drug consumption, whereas the NSAD group cited jealousy and their partners as reasons.
• SAD participants reported physical aggression aimed at achieving goals and verbal aggression leading to regret. The NSAD group reported no gains from aggression.
• The SAD group identified avoiding substance use as a means to prevent future aggression, while the NSAD group suggested avoiding contact with their partners.

Conclusions:

• Perceptions and attributions of perpetrators are crucial in understanding and addressing gender-based violence.
• The role of alcohol and/or drug use in GBV must be considered during offender assessments.
• Tailored interventions considering substance use and individual attributions are necessary for effective GBV treatment and prevention.