Psychological Aggression, Physical Aggression, and Injury in Nonpartner Relationships Among Men and Women in Treatment for Substance-Use Disorders

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: This study focused on the prevalence and predictors of psychological aggression, physical aggression, and injury rates in nonintimate partner relationships in a substance-use disorder treatment sample. Method: The sample included 489 (76% men, 24% women) participants who completed screening measures for inclusion in a randomized control trial for an aggression-prevention treatment. Primary outcome measures included rates of past-year psychological aggression, physical aggression, and injury (both from the participant to nonpartners and from nonpartners to the participant). Potential predictors included individual factors (e.g., age, gender), developmental factors (e.g., family history of drug use, childhood physical abuse), and recent factors (e.g., depression, cocaine use). Results: Rates of participant-tononpartner psychological aggression (83%), physical aggression (61%), and injury (47%) were high, as were rates of nonpartner-to-participant aggression. Bivariate analyses revealed signifi cant relationships between the aggression outcomes and most of the individual, developmental, and recent factors. However, multivariate analyses (zero-infl ated Poisson regression) revealed that age, treatment status, current symptoms of depression, heavy periods of drinking, and cocaine use were related most frequently to the occurrence of aggression to and from nonpartners. Conclusions: Nonpartner aggression may be as common within a substance-use disorder sample as partner aggression, and it is associated with heavy drinking episodes, cocaine use, and depressive symptoms. The fi ndings highlight the need for the development of effective violence interventions addressing violence in nonpartner relationship types. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 69: [896][897][898][899][900][901][902][903][904][905] 2008)

Mental health correlates of anger and violence among individuals entering substance use treatment

“…It is now well established in the literature that the use and abuse of substances is associated with the perpetration of violence (Boles & Miotto, 2003;Hoaken & Stewart, 2003;Moore et al, 2008). Between 60% and 75% of men and women in SUD treatment report perpetrating violence in the 12 months prior to interview, a rate that is considerably higher than that observed in community-based samples (Chermack, Fuller, & Blow, 2000;Murray et al, 2008). In their analysis of the National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study (NTIES) data, one of the largest multi-site studies evaluating SUD treatment programmes, Burnette et al (2008) revealed that 72% of males and 51% of females reported a lifetime history of violence perpetration.…”

“…For instance, Walton, Chermack, and Blow (2002) found that individuals reporting more severe levels of psychological distress during treatment were most likely to continue to express violence post-treatment. Research has also emerged that suggests symptoms of depression play a role in the perpetration of violence among individuals with SUD (Chermack et al, 2009;Murray et al, 2008).…”

“…Research among individuals with SUD has demonstrated that childhood trauma exposure has a particularly robust association with the perpetration of violence (Burnette et al, 2008;Chermack et al, 2008;Chermack, Wryobeck, Walton, & Blow, 2006;Murray et al, 2008). Burnette et al (2008) found that men and women with a history of violence perpetration reported significantly higher rates of childhood abuse compared to those who were not violent.…”

The impact of craving and impulsivity on aggression in detoxified cocaine-dependent patients

“…There is an increasing awareness that substance use is associated with aggression and criminal violence in patients with cocaine dependence (Degenhardt, Day, Hall, Conroy, & Gilmour, 2005;Moeller et al, 1994;Murray et al, 2008).…”

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Aggression, and Substance Use Coping among Young Adults

“…A study on a community sample found that among individuals who were violent, substance use disorder (SUD) was a common diagnosis (Swanson, Holzer, Ganju, & Jono, 1990). Individuals in treatment for SUDs were more likely to engage in violent behavior than individuals in the general population (Murray et al, 2008). This link between violence and SUD is further emphasized by research done on individuals arrested for violent crimes.…”