Risk Factors For Partner Violence Research Articles

Prosecutorial decision-making regarding offenders' social reintegration programs in intimate partner violence cases. A Portuguese study.

Intimate partner violence is one of the most challenging and demanding problems that the criminal justice system has to face. Given the severe consequences of intimate partner violence, it is imperative that intervention from the criminal justice system, regarding perpetrators, be effective to prevent further victimization and recurrences. In Portugal, it is up to the state prosecutor to decide which cases will be subject to a social reintegration program as a pretrial diversion program. This study aims to explore the variables that might influence the state prosecutor’s decision-making process. We have examined 283 intimate partner violence cases in which provisional suspension of criminal proceedings was applied. The decision as to whether defendants should be referred for social reintegration program attendance (G1) or not (G2) was made by the state prosecutor. Differences between G1 and G2 were identified: the victim’s age, couple living in a current relationship, drug-addicted defendant, intimate partner violence child exposure. However, defendants’ unemployment and drug abuse were the only two variables identified as a determinant for state prosecutor decisions. We believe that the effectiveness of state prosecution decision-making would benefit from: (a) systematically taking into account all intimate partner violence risk factors; (b) an index or checklist detailing what science reveals useful in intimate partner violence offenders’ social reintegration; (c) rehabilitation solutions based on the needs of each offender instead of a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Different predictors of intimate partner and natal family violence against women.

BackgroundViolence against women is often studied in the context of violence from intimate partners. However, women receive violence from a wider range of individuals—such as their natal kin—including their siblings, parents, uncles and cousins. Applying insights from evolutionary theory, we examine whether cousin marriage, which has been hypothesized to both reduce the risk of partner violence but increase the risk of natal family violence, associates differently with each type of violence. Second, we test whether common risk factors for partner violence, such as wealth, associate similarly with natal violence.MethodologyWe analyse over 16 000 Jordanian women from three cohorts of the Jordan Demographic Health Surveys. Predictor variables include type of cousin marriage (patrilateral or matrilateral), education, wealth, number of children, urban living and polygyny. Outcome variables include whether a woman’s husband or her natal family has ever been physically violent towards her.ResultsBeing married to a patrilateral cousin but not a matrilateral cousin is associated with a reduced risk of reporting intimate partner violence (IPV). By contrast being married to a matrilateral cousin but not a patrilateral one is associated with a reduced risk of reporting natal family violence. As expected, wealth is negatively associated with reporting partner violence, but we find no association with reports of natal family violence. Finally, individuals with more children are more likely to report IPV.Conclusions and implicationsFindings indicate the importance of distinguishing between types of cousin marriage and highlight substantial differences in risk factors for intimate partner compared to natal family violence.Lay SummarySociodemographic risk factors, such as wealth, may associate differently with intimate partner and natal family violence. Results suggest that whether cousin marriage is protective of violence may depend on the type of cousin and secondly, that violence can have fitness relevant outcomes.

Impact of Alcoholism and Other Factors on Violence against Women in the State of Bihar, India - Data from NFHS (National Family Health Survey -5-2019-21)

National Family Health Survey-5 data which was conducted at household level in all 38 districts of the state of Bihar from 9 July, 2019 to 2 February, 2020 revealed that there is failure of complete alcohol ban in Bihar. Violence against women under the influence of alcoholism is still going on under influence of liquor consumption. Alcohol is a risk factor for partner violence across a range of settings for all types of violence where alcohol plays as a key situational factor, escalating the probability of violence by plummeting inhibitions, clouding judgment and deteriorating ability to interpret cues. Psychiatric morbidities such as paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, delusional and antisocial personality disorder formulate the man more likely to commit sexual crimes. In the light of the above mentioned background this study based on data of NFHS-5 is aimed to analyses the status of liquor consumption relation with violence against women in the state of Bihar and Gender role attitudes, experience of physical and sexual violence, experience of violence during pregnancy, forms of spousal violence, injuries to women due to spousal violence and help seeking against violence by the women of the state of Bihar in India. The total sample size of NFHS-5 was 35,834 households, 42,483 women of age group 15-49 (including 6,350 women interviewed in PSUs in the state module), and 4,897 men of age group 15-54 for the state of Bihar. Household questionnaire regarding Gender role attitudes, Experience of physical and sexual violence, Experience of violence during pregnancy, Forms of spousal violence, Injuries to women due to spousal violence, Help seeking against violence in the household three years preceding the survey were asked from respondents and the information was gathered and utilized to construct information in 19 languages using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing). In residents of Bihar eligible women and men were women ages 15-49 and men ages 15-54 who lived in the household the night before the household interview (including both usual residents and visitors). See table-1- This table is based on the unweight sample. 84.4% of women whose husbands often get drunk have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence, compared to those who gets drunk sometimes (61.4%), drinks/never gets drunk (45.4%) and minimum 36.4% of those whose husbands do not drink -see table-8 and figure-4. The survey data analysis revealed that the drinking pattern plays a crucial role in the extent of violence against women in the state. The more the men consume liquor, the more is the domestic abuse. Nearly, 56.6% of women are afraid of their husband most of the time that have experienced spousal violence.

Depressive Symptoms, Substance Use and Partner Violence Victimization Associated with HIV Disclosure Among Men Who have Sex with Men.

HIV continues to disproportionately affect men who have sex with men (MSM). Depression and substance use have been shown to be risk factors of partner violence among male same-sex couples. However, research exploring the risk factors for partner violence victimization after HIV disclosure among MSM is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the association between depressive symptoms, substance use, and disclosure-associated verbal and/or physical violence from a partner among MSM. Data were obtained from 340 HIV-positive MSM. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the associations between Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression and substance use scores, and disclosure-associated partner violence. After adjusting for age and income, every one-unit increase in substance use scores resulted in a 9 % (OR 1.09; 95 % CI 1.01-1.16) increase in the odds of disclosure-associated partner violence. HIV disclosure interventions for MSM populations should address substance use and potential violence from partners after disclosure.

Adolescent Risk for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration.

The prevention of intimate partner violence is a desirable individual and public health goal for society. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive assessment of adolescent risk factors for partner violence in order to inform the development of evidence-based prevention strategies. We utilize data from the Rochester Youth Development Study, a two decade long prospective study of a representative community sample of 1000 participants that has extensive measures of adolescent characteristics, contexts, and behaviors that are potential precursors of partner violence. Using a developmental psychopathology framework, we assess self-reported partner violence perpetration in emerging adulthood (ages 20-22) and in adulthood (ages 29-30) utilizing the Conflict Tactics Scale. Our results indicate that risk factors for intimate partner violence span several developmental domains and are substantially similar for both genders. Internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors as well as early intimate relationships are especially salient for both genders. Additionally, cumulative risk across a number of developmental domains places adolescents at particularly high risk of perpetrating partner violence. Implications for prevention include extending existing prevention programs that focus on high risk groups with multiple risks for developmental disruption, as well as focusing on preventing or mitigating identified risk factors across both genders.

Alcohol consumption and partner violence among women entering substance use disorder treatment.

To test the hypothesized role of alcohol consumption as a proximal risk factor for partner violence, a within-subjects analysis compared levels of alcohol consumption in violent versus nonviolent conflict events among substance-abusing women and their male partners. Participants were married or cohabiting women (N = 145) who had recently begun a substance abuse treatment program and reported both a violent and a nonviolent relationship conflict event with their male partner in the prior 6 months. The average age was 38, and 83% were White. Male partners did not participate in the study. The female participant provided information about the male partner. Women were interviewed regarding a violent conflict event in which physical violence occurred and a nonviolent conflict event in which psychological aggression occurred without physical violence. The interview assessed quantity of alcohol consumed and use of other drugs prior to each conflict. Alcohol consumption was significantly greater prior to violent versus nonviolent conflict events for all measures of women's alcohol consumption examined: any drinking, heavy drinking, number of drinks in the 12 hr preceding the conflict event, and estimated blood alcohol concentration at time of the event. Male partners' alcohol consumption showed similar results. Use of other drugs in women, but not men, was significantly more likely prior to physical conflicts. These within-subject comparisons help to rule out individual difference explanations for the alcohol-violence association and indicate that the quantity of alcohol consumption is an important proximal risk factor for partner violence in substance-abusing women and their male partners. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).

A Comparison of Deaf College Students’ and Hard of Hearing College Students’ Experiences and Risk Factors of Psychological and Physical Abuse

A survey of 222 Deaf or hard of hearing college students in an upstate New York university provided a unique opportunity to explore possible differences between Deaf students’ and hard of hearing students’ experiences and risk factors of psychological and physical abuse in their intimate relationships. Previous research has indicated that Deaf and hard of hearing college students in the aggregate were significantly more likely to experience abuse than were hearing students. A comparison of Deaf students with hard of hearing students revealed that hard of hearing individuals were significantly more likely to experience physical abuse than were Deaf students but not more likely to experience psychological abuse. Findings also revealed that in most cases, traditional risk factors for partner violence (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, living on campus) used in hearing college samples were not significant. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Unique Risk and Protective Factors for Partner Aggression in a Large Scale Air Force Survey

The objective of this study is to examine risk factors of physical aggression against a partner in a large representative Active Duty Air Force sample. A stratified sample of 128,950 United States Active Duty members were invited to participate in an Air Force-wide anonymous online survey across 82 bases. The final sample (N = 52,780) was weighted to be representative of the United States Air Force. Backward stepwise regression analyses were conducted to identify unique predictors of partner physical aggression perpetration within and across different ecological levels (individual, family, organization, and community levels). Relationship satisfaction, alcohol problems, financial stress, and number of years in the military were identified as unique predictors of men's and women's perpetration of violence against their partner across ecological levels. Parental status, support from neighbors, personal coping, and support from formal agencies also uniquely predicted men's but not women's perpetration of violence across ecological levels. This study identified specific risk factors of partner violence that may be targeted by prevention and intervention efforts aimed at different levels of impact (e.g., family interventions, community-wide programs).

Partner violence and sexual jealousy in China: a population-based survey.

Using data from a nationally representative survey in China, this article examines the prevalence and risk factors for partner violence with a special focus on the important role of sexual jealousy. Among women aged 20 to 49, 7.2% reported that they were hit by their partners in the past year. Comparison shows that the Chinese prevalence is modestly below the overall median for other societies. Net of other factors, jealousy exacerbates hitting for both men and women in a reactive pattern, with the jealous partner getting hit. This suggests a rethinking of the role of sexual jealousy in spousal violence in some social settings.

Alcohol Consumption and Intimate Partner Violence by Alcoholic Men: Comparing Violent and Nonviolent Conflicts.

Alcoholic men and their relationship partners were interviewed about a conflict in which physical assault occurred and 1 in which psychological aggression occurred without physical assault. The interview assessed the quantity of alcohol consumed prior to each conflict, other drug use, and the topics, location, timing, duration, and speed of escalation for each conflict. The number of standard drinks consumed by the husband in the previous 12 hr was significantly higher prior to violent versus nonviolent conflicts for both self- and collateral reports, as was blood alcohol concentration estimated from self-report. Other drug use was not significantly different. Greater drinking by wives prior to violent conflicts was found in some analyses. These within-subject comparisons help to rule out individual difference explanations for the alcohol-violence association and indicate that alcohol consumption is a proximal risk factor for partner violence in alcoholic men.

Risk Factors for Partner Violence Among a National Sample of Combat Veterans.

In this study, the authors identified potential risk factors for partner violence perpetration among a subsample (n=109) of men who participated in a national study of Vietnam veterans. Partner violent (PV) men with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were compared with PV men without PTSD and nonviolent men with PTSD on family-of-origin variables, psychiatric problems, relationship problems, and war-zone factors. PV men with PTSD were the highest of the 3 groups on every risk factor other than childhood abuse. Group contrasts and a classification tree analysis suggest some potential markers and mechanisms for the association between PTSD and partner violence among military veterans and highlight the need for theory development in this area of inquiry.

Intimate Partner Violence in China: National Prevalence, Risk Factors and Associated Health Problems

Intimate partner violence has been studied in many developed and developing countries. China remains one of the few large societies for which the prevalence and correlates of intimate partner violence are unknown. Data from a nationally representative sample of women and men aged 20-64 with a spouse or other steady partner provide estimates of intimate partner violence in China. Binomial and multinomial logistic regression analyses adjusted for sample design examine risk factors and negative outcomes associated with partner violence. Altogether, 34% of women and 18% of men had ever been hit during their current relationship; the prevalence of hitting resulting in bleeding, bruises, swelling, or severe pain and injuries was 12% for women and 5% for men. Significant risk factors for partner violence included sexual jealousy, patriarchal beliefs, low female contribution to household income, low male socioeconomic status, alcohol consumption and residence in regions other than the South and Southeast. Severe hitting was a significant risk factor for self-reported adverse general and sexual health outcomes, including sexual dysfunction, sexual dissatisfaction and unwanted sex. As in other societies, intimate partner violence in China is common and is correlated with adverse general and sexual health outcomes.