Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between lifetime DSM-IV posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration in a representative sample of self-identified heterosexual adult men in the U.S. Analysis was conducted using data from two waves of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) among 11,625 heterosexual men to test the hypothesis that heterosexual men in the general population with lifetime PTSD were more likely to perpetrate IPV than their non-PTSD counterparts. In adjusted models, heterosexual men who reported lifetime PTSD showed significantly higher risk of IPV perpetration (OR = 2.36, 95 % CI = 1.56–3.57, p < 0.001), compared to men without PTSD. Results call for increased attention to assessment and treatment of mental health problems and trauma among male perpetrators of IPV, as a means to prevent the reoccurrence of violence.
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Notes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), IPV includes four types of behavior: a) physical abuse, when a person hurts or tries to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or other physical force; b) sexual abuse, when one forces a partner into any sexual act without consent; c) threats of physical or sexual abuse that include the use of words, gestures, weapons, or other means to communicate the intent to cause harm; d) emotional abuse, when one threatens a partner with his or her possessions or loved ones, or harming a person’s sense of self-worth, including stalking, name-calling, or intimidation (see Saltzman, Fanslow, McMahon, and Shelley 2002).
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This research was supported by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB grant number 5 T76 MC 00001 [formerly MCJ201] and MCHB Epidemiological MCH/SPH Institute grant number T03MC07648) and the Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy (the Donald R. Cressey Award). These funding sources had no involvement in any part of the research. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Hahn, J.W., Aldarondo, E., Silverman, J.G. et al. Examining the Association between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration. J Fam Viol 30, 743–752 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9710-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9710-1