Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Comparing Intimately Violent to Non-violent Veterans in Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Family Violence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The impact on relationships and adjustment to life after warzone deployments is a major concern, especially when the Veteran also struggles with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this manuscript, we describe and compare Veterans who are intimately violent to non-violent Veterans who are in treatment for PTSD. In order to accurately identify the presence of intimate partner violence (IPV) we relied on both Veterans’ and their partners’ reports in the form of interviews and questionnaires. Additionally, we examined the following variables to determine if PTSD severity, childhood witnessing of inter-parental IPV, substance use/abuse, mutuality, and demographic variables could reliably differentiate Veterans perpetrating IPV from those who were not. Of the overall sample (N = 882; Veterans and partners), 43% of the male Veterans met our operationally defined criteria for IPV. Among the variables identified above, only the level of relationship mutuality significantly differentiated the intimately violent from non-violent.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, text revision (4th ed.). Washington: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, K. M., & Orcutt, H. K. (2009). Posttraumatic stress disorder and male-perpetrated intimate partner violence. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 302(5), 562–564.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, N. S., Harford, T. C., Fuchs, C. H., McCarroll, J. E., & Schwartz, C. E. (2006). Spouse abuse and alcohol problems among white, African American, and Hispanic U.S. army soldiers. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 30(10), 1721–1733.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Blake, D., Weathers, F., Nagy, L., Kaloupek, D., Gusman, F., Charney, D., & Keane, T. (1995). The development of a clinician-administered PTSD scale. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 8(1), 75–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caetano, R., Vaeth, P. A. C., & Ramisetty-Mikler, S. (2008). Intimate partner violence victim and perpetrator characteristics among couples in the United States. Journal of Family Violence, 23(6), 507–518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capaldi, D. M., Knoble, N. B., Shortt, J. W., & Kim, H. K. (2012). A systematic review of risk factors for intimate partner violence. Partner Abuse, 3(2), 231–280.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dutton, D. G. (1995). The domestic assault of women (2nd ed.). Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutton, D. G., & Hemphill, K. J. (1992). Patterns of socially desirable responding among perpetrators and victims of wife assault. Violence and Victims, 7(1), 29–39.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edleson, J. L., & Brygger, M. P. (1986). Gender differences in reporting of battering incidences. Family Relations, 35, 377–382.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elbogen, E. B., Johnson, S. C., Wagner, H. R., Newton, V. M., Timko, C., Vasterling, J. J., & Beckham, J. C. (2012). Protective factors and risk modification of violence in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 73(6), 767–773.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elbogen, E. B., Johnson, S. C., Wagner, H. R., Sullivan, C., Taft, C. T., & Beckham, J. C. (2014). Violent behavior and post-traumatic stress disorder in US Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 204, 368–375.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fals-Stewart, W., Golden, J., & Schumacher, J. A. (2003). Intimate partner violence and substance use: a longitudinal day-to-day examination. Addictive Behaviors, 28, 1555–1574.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Finley, E. P., Baker, M., Pugh, M. J., & Peterson, A. (2010). Patterns and perceptions of intimate partner violence committed by returning veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Family Violence, 25, 737–743.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foran, H. M., Slep, A. M., & Heyman, R. E. (2011). Prevalence of intimate partner violence in a representative U.S. Air Force sample. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79(3), 391–397.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, T. W., & Roca, V. (2001). Gun use, attitudes toward violence, and aggression among combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders, 189, 317–320.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ganley, A. L. (1995). Understanding domestic violence. In D. Lee, N. Durborow, & P. R. Salber (Eds.), Improving the health care response to domestic violence: A resource manual for health care providers (pp. 15–42). San Francisco: The Family Violence Prevention Fund.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gavin, D. R., Ross, H. E., & Skinner, H. A. (1989). Diagnostic validity of the drug abuse screening test in the assessment of DSM-III drug disorders. British Journal of Addiction, 84(3), 301–307.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Genero, N. P., Miller, J. B., Surrey, J., & Baldwin, L. M. (1992). Measuring perceived mutuality in close relationships: validation of the mutual psychological development questionnaire. Journal of Family Psychology, 6(1), 36–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerlock, A. A. (2001). Relationship mutuality: Why is it important in batterers’ rehabilitation? Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16(8), 768–783.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerlock, A. A. (2004). Domestic violence and posttraumatic stress disorder severity for participants of a domestic violence rehabilitation program. Military Medicine, 169, 470–474.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gerlock, A.A. (2007). The Relationship Behavior Interview (RBI). Interview protocol

  • Gerlock, A. A., Grimesey, J., Pisciotta, A. K., & Harel, O. (2011a). Ask a few more questions: identifying and responding to perpetrators of intimate partner violence in the clinical setting. American Journal of Nursing, 111(11), 35–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gerlock, A. A., Grimesey, J. L., Pisciotta, A. K., & Harel, O. (2011b). Documentation of screening for perpetration of intimate partner violence in male veterans with PTSD. American Journal of Nursing, 111(11), 26–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gerlock, A. A., Grimesey, J. L., & Sayre, G. (2014). Military-related posttraumatic stress disorder and intimate relationship behaviors: a developing dyadic relationship model. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 40(3), 344–356.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hellmuth, J. C., Stappenbeck, C. A., Hoester, K. D., & Jakupcak, M. (2012). Modeling PTSD symptom clusters, alcohol misuse, anger, and depression as they relate to aggression and suicidality in returning U.S. Veterans. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 25, 527–534.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, C. C., Son, E., & Wang, L. R. (2010). Prevalence and factors of domestic violence among unmarried mother with a young child. Families in Society, 91(2), 171–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jakupcak, M., Conybeare, D., Phelps, L., Hunt, S., Holmes, H. A., Felker, B., Klevens, M., & McFall, M. E. (2007). Anger, hostility, and aggression among Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans reporting PTSD and subthreshold PTSD. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 20(6), 945–954.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M. P., & Leone, J. M. (2005). The differential effects of intimate terrorism and situational couple violence. Journal of Family Issues, 26(3), 322–349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kar, H. L., & O’Leary, K. D. (2013). Emotional intimacy mediates the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and intimate partner violence perpetration in OEF/OIF/OND veterans. Violence and Victims, 28(5), 790–803.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lipsky, S., Caetano, R., & Byrne, P. R. (2011). Triple jeopardy: impact of partner violence perpetration, mental health and substance use on perceived unmet need for mental health care among men. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 46, 843–852.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Little, R. J. A., & Rubin, D. B. (2002). Statistical analysis with missing data (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, A. D., Panuzio, J., & Taft, C. T. (2005). Intimate partner violence among military veterans and active duty servicemen. Clinical Psychology Review, 25(7), 862–876.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Newby, J. H., Ursano, R. J., McCarroll, J. E., Xian, L., Fullerton, C. S., & Norwood, A. E. (2005). Postdeployment domestic violence by U.S. Army Soldiers. Military Medicine, 170(8), 643–647.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orcutt, H. K., King, L. A., & King, D. W. (2003). Male-perpetrated violence among Vietnam veteran couples: relationships with veteran’s early life characteristics, trauma history, and PTSD symptomatology. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16(4), 381–390.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prigerson, H. G., Maciejewski, P. D., & Rosenheck, R. A. (2002). Population attributable fractions of psychiatric disorders and behavioral outcomes associated with combat exposure among US men. American Journal of Public Health, 92(1), 59–63.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Renshaw, K. D., & Campbell, S. B. (2011). Combat veterans’ symptoms of PTSD and partners’ distress: the role of partners’ perceptions of veterans’ deployment experiences. Journal of Family Psychology, 25, 953–962.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, A. L., Gilman, S. E., Fitzmaurice, G., Decker, M. R., & Koenen, K. C. (2010). Witness of intimate partner violence in childhood and perpetration of intimate partner violence in adulthood. Epidemiology, 21(6), 809–818.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, J. B., Aasland, O. G., Babor, T. F., DeLaFuente, J. R., & Grant, M. (1993). Development of the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT): WHO collaborative project on early detection of persons with harmful alcohol consumption--II. Addiction, 88, 791–804.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Savarese, V. W., Suvak, M. K., King, L. A., & King, D. W. (2001). Relationships among alcohol use, hyperarousal, and marital abuse and violence in Vietnam Veterans. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 14(4), 717–732.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sayers, S. L., Farrow, V. A., Ross, J., & Oslin, D. W. (2009). Family problems among recently returned military veterans referred for a mental health evaluation. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 70(2), 163–170.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schure, M., Sayre, G., Gerlock, A., & Szarka, J. (manuscript). Mutuality mediates the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder symptom severity and intimate partner violence among U.S. veteran couples.

  • Shepard, M. F., & Campbell, J. A. (1992). The abusive behavior inventory: a measure of psychological and physical abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 7(3), 291–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, H. A. (1982). The drug abuse screening test. Addictive Behaviors, 7, 363–371.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A. (1979). Measuring family conflict and violence: the conflict tactics scale. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 41, 75–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taft, C. T., Pless, A. P., Stalans, L. J., Koenen, K. C., King, L. A., & King, D. W. (2005). Risk factors for partner violence among a national sample of combat veterans. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 151–159.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taft, C. T., Vogt, D. S., Marshall, A. D., Panuzio, J., & Niles, B. L. (2007). Aggression among combat veterans: relationships with combat exposure and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, dysphoria, and anxiety. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 20(2), 135–145.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taft, C. T., Watkins, L. E., Stafford, J., Street, A. E., & Monson, C. M. (2011). Posttraumatic stress disorder and intimate relationship problems: a metal-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79(1), 22–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Teten, A. L., Schumacher, J. A., Taft, C. T., Stanley, M. A., Kent, T. A., Bailey, S. D., Dunn, N. J., & White, D. L. (2010). Intimate partner aggression perpetrated and sustained by male Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25(9), 1612–11630.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tinney, G. (2014). Intimate partner violence and military women. Psychiatric Annals, 44(4), 185–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weathers, F. W., Keane, T. M., & Davidson, J. R. T. (2001). The clinician administered PTSD scale: a review of the first ten years of research. Depression and Anxiety, 13(3), 132–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value Driven Care, Health Services Research & Development, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, 1100 Olive Way, Suite 1400, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA

    April A. Gerlock, Jackie G. Szarka & Koriann Cox

  2. Department of Statistics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA

    Ofer Harel

Authors
  1. April A. Gerlock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jackie G. Szarka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Koriann Cox
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ofer Harel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to April A. Gerlock.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gerlock, A.A., Szarka, J.G., Cox, K. et al. Comparing Intimately Violent to Non-violent Veterans in Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. J Fam Viol 31, 667–678 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-016-9814-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-016-9814-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation