Testing a Social-Cognitive Model of Intimate Abusiveness Among Substance-Dependent Males

Abstract

Throughout history, the human race has been characterized by the use of physical and emotional aggression by individuals, particularly males, in their intimate relationships. Intimate abusiveness is particularly common among substance dependent males. As a result of male intimate abusiveness, victims suffer a variety of problems ranging from emotional trauma to death due to physical injury. Despite increased attention to this problem, our understanding of the process leading to intimate abusiveness is far from comprehensive. The primary purpose of the present study was to expand our understanding of intimate abusiveness through the application of a social-cognitive model of intimate abusiveness among substance dependent males.Fifty-seven males from an inpatient substance abuse treatment program participated. Subjects completed questionnaires indicating their level of intimate abusiveness. In addition, they completed partner-related attribution measures as well as coping response measures indicating how they would interpret and handle five ambiguous vignettes involving their partner.It was hypothesized that violent men would attribute greater negative intent and responsibility to their partner and that they would choose to handle the ambiguous vignettes in less competent ways compared with non-violent men. Further, it was predicted that the association between intimate abusiveness and competency of coping responses would be mediated by attributions made about the partner. Results of the study generally supported predictions. The implications of the results are discussed as well as suggestions for future research.

A Preliminary Investigation Into a Range of Implicit and Explicit Offense Supportive Cognitions in Perpetrators of Physical Intimate Partner Violence

“…Comparisons were made between men with and without a history of IPV. Consistent with previous research, the IPV group reported (explicitly) less relationship satisfaction (Stith, Green, Smith, & Ward, 2008) in addition to higher levels of relationship dominance and controlling behaviors (e.g., Graham-Kevan & Archer, 2009; Stets & Burke, 2005), hostility toward the opposite gender (e.g., Copenhaver, 2000; Holtzworth-Munroe & Hutchinson, 1993), instrumental beliefs about physical aggression (Próspero, 2008), stereotypical views of gender roles (e.g., Saunders, 1992; Stith & Farley, 1993), condoning attitudes toward physical IPV (e.g., Hanson, Cadsky, Harris, & Lalonde, 1997; Holtzworth-Munroe, Meehan, Herron, Rehman, & Stuart, 2000), and psychological entitlement (e.g., Rothschild, Dimson, Storaasli, & Clapp, 1997; Simmons, Lehmann, Cobb, & Fowler, 2005). These group differences remained significant after controlling for social desirability and relationship satisfaction suggesting that participants were generally honest in their responses and that any negative thinking patterns in relation to intimate relationships and intimate partners in this sample were not due to unhappiness with their relationship.…”

Treatment Needs of Men and Women with Violence Problems In Substance Use Disorder Treatment

“…Further, a number of studies have found that aggressive individuals have poor coping skills and cognitive styles conducive to aggression. Copenhaver (2000) found that men in SUD treatment with violence problems had less competent coping skills with regard to marital situations, as well as greater attribution of negative intent to their partner, and Lee et al (1997) found violent cocaine dependent men had greater difficulty with relaxation skills. Holtzworth-Munroe and Anglin (1991) found that violent men had less competent coping responses to certain marital situations (rejection, jealousy, challenges from partner) compared to distressed and non-distressed non-violent men.…”

The Effects of a Short-Term Batterer Treatment Program for Detained Arrestees: A Randomized Experiment in the Sacramento County, California Jail

“…The program included these components because of their link to domestic violence perpetration. In the literature, lower drug and alcohol use is associated with less domestic violence (Copenhaver, 1998;Gondolf and Foster, 1991;Hamberger and Hastings, 1991;Kantor and Straus, 1990). Interestingly, two statistically significant differences were observed in batterer self-reported alcohol and marijuana use.…”