Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Modeling Risk for Intimate Partner Violence among Recent-Era Veteran-Partner Dyads

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

Abstract

Using an actor-partner interdependence model, we examined whether veterans’ posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) contributed to partners’ drug abuse symptoms, whether partners’ drug abuse symptoms contributed to intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, and whether drug abuse symptoms mediated PTSS-IPV perpetration associations. Participants were recent-era veterans who participated in the Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center Post-Deployment Mental Health study. Veterans who took part at one site and their partners (N = 49 couples) completed a follow-up study in which drug abuse symptoms and IPV perpetration were assessed. Veterans’ PTSS contributed to veterans’ drug abuse symptoms. Veterans’ drug abuse symptoms were associated with their IPV perpetration (i.e., an actor effect) and their partners’ IPV perpetration (i.e., a crossover effect). Drug abuse symptoms mediated the association between veterans’ PTSS and partners’ reports of IPV perpetration. Findings suggest complex relationships between PTSS, drug abuse problems and IPV perpetration among these dyads.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baker, C. R., & Stith, S. M. (2008). Factors predicting dating violence perpetration among male and female college students. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 17(2), 227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, V., & Lewis, T. (1994). Outliers in statistical data (3rd ed.). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, C. (2007). Veteran status and marital aggression: Does military service make a difference? Journal of Family Violence, 22, 197–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J. C., Garza, M. A., Gielen, A. C., O'Campo, P., Kub, J., Dienemann, J., Jones, A. S., & Jafar, E. (2003). Intimate partner violence and abuse among active duty military women. Violence Against Women, 9, 1072–1092.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chermack, S. T., & Giancola, P. R. (1997). The relation between alcohol and aggression: An integrated biopsychosocial conceptualization. Clinical Psychology Review, 17, 621–649.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chermack, S. T., Walton, M. A., Fuller, B. E., & Blow, F. C. (2001). Correlates of expressed and received violence across relationship types among men and women substance abusers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 15(2), 140–151.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crane, C. A., Oberleitner, L. M. S., Devine, S., & Easton, C. J. (2014). Substance use disorders and intimate partner violence perpetration among male and female offenders. Psychology of Violence, 4(3), 322–333.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dass-Brailsford, P., & Myrick, A. C. (2010). Psychological trauma and substance abuse: The need for an integrated approach. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 11(4), 202–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, J. R. T., Book, S. W., Colket, J. T., Tupler, L. A., Roth, S., David, D., Hertzberg, M., Mellman, T., Beckham, J. C., Smith, R. D., Davidson, R., Katz, R., & Reldman, M. D. (1997). Assessment of a new self-rating scale for post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychological Medicine, 27(1), 153–160.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, D. A., Grant, B. F., Chou, S. P., & Stinson, F. S. (2007). The impact of partner alcohol problems on women's physical and mental health. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 68(1), 66–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Defense Manpower Date Center (2013). CTS deployment file baseline report.

  • Dursa, E. K., Reinhard, M. J., Barth, S. K., & Schneiderman, A. I. (2014). Prevalence of a postive screen for PTSD among OEF/OIF and OEF/OIF-era veterans in a large population-based cohort. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 27, 542–459.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elbogen, E. B., Johnson, S. C., Wagner, H. R., Sullivan, C., Taft, C. T., & Beckham, J. C. (2014). Violent behaviour and post-traumatic stress disorder in US Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 204(5), 368–375.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fulton, J. J., Calhoun, P. S., Wagner, H. R., Schry, A. R., Hair, L. P., Feeling, N., & Beckham, J. C. (2015). The prevalence of postraumatic stress disorder in operation enduring freedom/operation Iraqi freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans: A meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 31(1), 98–107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grella, C. E., Scott, C. K., & Foss, M. A. (2005). Gender differences in long-term drug treatment outcomes in Chicago PETS. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 28(Suppl1), S3–S12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, J. W., Aldarondo, E., Silverman, J. G., McCormick, M. C., & Koenen, K. C. (2015). Examining the association between posttraumatic stress disorder and intimate partner violence perpetration. Journal of Family Violence, 30(6), 743–752.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, A. F. (2009). Beyond baron and Kenny: Statistical mediation analysis in the new millennium. Communication Monographs, 76, 408–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heyman, R. E., & Neidig, P. H. (1999). A comparison of spousal aggression prevalence rates in the U.S. Army and civilian representative samples. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62(2), 239–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hser, Y.-I., Evans, E., & Huang, Y.-C. (2005). Treatment outcomes among women and men methamphetamine abusers in California. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 28(1), 77–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • IOM (Institute of Medicine). (2012). Substance use disorders in the U.S. Armed Forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

  • Jakupcak, M., Conybeare, D., Phelps, L., Hunt, S., Holmes, H. A., Felker, B., & 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 

  • Jordan, B. K., Marmar, C. R., Fairbank, J. A., Schlenger, W. E., Kulka, R. A., Hough, R. L., & Weiss, D. S. (1992). Problems in families of male Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60(6), 916–926.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kehle, S. M., Reddy, M. K., Ferrier-Auerback, A. G., Erbes, C. R., Arbisi, P. A., & Polusny, M. A. (2011). Psychiatric diagnoses, comorbidity, and functioning in National Guard troops deployed to Iraq. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 45(1), 126–132.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kenny, D. A., Kashy, D. A., & Cook, W. L. (2006). Dyadic data analysis. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khantzian, E. J. (1985). The self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders: Focus on heroin and cocaine dependence. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 142(11), 1259–1264.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khantzian, E. J. (2003). The self-medication hypothesis revisited: The dually diagnosed patient. Primary Psychiatry, 10(9), 47–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, L. A., & King, D. W. (2004). Male-perpetrated domestic violence: Testing a series of multifactorial family models (p. 199712). Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, A. C., Beckham, J. C., Calhoun, P. S., Roberts, S. T., Taft, C. T., Elbogen, E. B., & Dennis, M. F. S. (2012). An examination of general aggression and intimate partner violence in women with posttraumatic stress disorder. Violence and Victims, 27(5), 777–792.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kok, B. C., Herrell, R. K., Thomas, J. L., & Hoge, C. W. (2012). Posttraumatic stress disorder associated with combat service in Iraq or Afghanistan: Reconciling prevalence differences between studies. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 200, 444–450.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, S. D., Beckham, J. C., Morey, R. A., & Calhoun, P. S. (2009). The validity and diagnostic efficiency of the Davidson trauma scale in military veterans who have served since September 11th, 2001. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23(2), 247–255.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mudar, P., Leonard, K. E., & Soltysinski, K. (2001). Discrepant substance use and marital functioning in newlywed couples. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 130–134.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, C. M., & Ting, L. A. (2010). Interventions for perpetrators of intimate partner violence: A review of efficacy research and recent trends. Partner Abuse, 1(1), 26–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998-2012). Mplus user’s guide (7th ed.). Los Angeles: Muthén & Muthén.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okuda, M., Olfson, M., Wang, S., Rubio, J. M., Xu, Y., & Blanco, C. (2015). Correlates of intimate partner violence perpetration: Results from a national epidemiologic survey. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28(1), 49–56.

    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 

  • Parrott, D. J., Drobes, D. J., Saladin, M. E., Coffey, S. F., & Dansky, B. S. (2003). Perpetration of partner violence: Effects of cocaine and alcohol dependence and posttraumatic stress disoder. Addictive Behaviors, 28(9), 1587–1602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, K. V., Houry, D., Cerulli, C., Straus, H., Kaslow, N. J., & McNutt, L.-A. (2009). Intimate partner violence and comorbid mental health conditions among urban male patients. Annals of Family Medicine, 7(1), 47–55.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ritter, K., Kivisto, A., Handsel, V., & Moore, T. (2014). Intimate partner violence, PTSD, and substance use. In P. Ouimette & J. Read (Eds.), Trauma and substance abuse: Causes, consequences, and treatment of comorbid disorders (2nd ed., pp. 211–230). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, H. A. (1982). The drug abuse screening test. Addictive Behaviors, 7(4), 363–371.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steele, C. M., & Josephs, R. A. (1990). Alcohol myopia: Its prized and dangerous effects. American Psychologist, 45(8), 921–933.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Hamby, S. L., Boney-McCoy, S., & Sugarman, D. B. (1996). The revised conflict tactics scales (CTS2): Development and preliminary psychometric data. Journal of Family Issues, 17(3), 283–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taft, C. T., Kaloupek, D. G., Schumm, J. A., Marshall, A. D., Panuzio, J., King, D. W., & Keane, T. M. (2007). Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, physiological reactivity, alcohol problems, and aggression among military veterans. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 116(3), 498–507.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tempier, R., Boyer, R., Lambert, J., Mosier, K., & Duncan, C. R. (2006). Psychological distress among female spouses of male at-risk drinkers. Alcohol, 40(1), 41–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, J. L., Wilk, J. E., Riviere, L. A., McGurk, D., Castro, C. A., & Hoge, C. W. (2010). Prevalence of mental health problems and functioning impairment among active component and National Guard soldiers after combat. Psychiatric Services, 61(6), 572.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomassetti-Long, V. J., Nicholson, B. C., Madson, M. B., & Dahlen, E. R. (2015). Hardiness, parenting stress, and PTSD symptomatology in U. S. Afghanistant/Iraq era veteran fathers. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 16(3), 239–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, J. W., Merrill, L. L., & Koss, M. P. (2001). Predictors of premilitary courtship violence in a navy recruit sample. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16(9), 910–927.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yudko, E., Lozhkina, O., & Fouts, A. (2007). A comprehensive review of the psychometric properties of the drug abuse screening test. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 32(2), 189–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, X., Lynch Jr., J. G., & Chen, Q. (2010). Reconsidering baron and Kenny: Myths and truths about mediation analysis. Journal of Consumer Research, 37, 197–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Mental Health Services, VA Central Office.

Contributors

Michelle L. Kelley designed the study, wrote the protocol and IRB applications, analyzed the data, and drafted the initial manuscript. Hilary G. Montano co-wrote the introduction and discussion, and oversaw the IRB application approvals and other study approvals. Nick Lam and Monica Hernandez collected all data. Marinell M. Miller assisted with the initial protocol, IRB approvals and obtaining support from the VA MID-Atlantic Mental Illness Research Education that allowed us to re-survey initial MIRECC participants and their partners at the Hampton VAMC. She also assisted with manuscript writing. The Mid-Atlantic MIRECC members are investigators who made a significant contribution to the implementation of the specific study described in this manuscript. VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Workgroup members consist of the Site PIs, Lab Directors, and other MIRECC leadership who made a critical contribution to establishing the Post-Deployment Mental Health Study (previously “OEF/OIF/OND Registry”) and the VISN 6. The following individuals are members of the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Workgroup: Jean C. Beckham, Mira Brancu, Patrick S. Calhoun, Kathleen P. Decker, Eric Dedert, Eric B. Elbogen, John A. Fairbank, Kimberly T. Green, Robin A. Hurley, Jason D. Kilts, Nathan Kimbrel, Angela Kirby, Christine E. Marx, Gregory McCarthy, Scott D. McDonald, Scott D. Moore, Rejendra A. Morey, Jennifer C. Naylor, Treven C. Pickett, Jared Rowland, Jennifer J. Runnals, Cindy Swinkels, Steven T. Szabo, Katherine H. Taber, Larry A. Tupler, Elizabeth E. Van Voorhees, Ryan H. Wagner, Richard D. Weiner, and Ruth E. Yoash-Gantz. This work was supported by Award Number 1IK2CX000718 to Dr. Dedert from the CSR&D Service of the VA Office of Research & Development. The following individuals are members of the VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Women Veterans Research Workgroup: Mira Brancu, John Curry, Michelle L. Kelley, Jennifer C. Naylor, Jennifer J. Runnals, and Jennifer Strauss.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, 23529, VA, USA

    Michelle L. Kelley & Nick Lam

  2. Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology, Norfolk, VA, 23504, USA

    Michelle L. Kelley

  3. Mid-Atlantic Region VA Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) Women Veterans Workgroup, Durham, 27705, NC, USA

    Michelle L. Kelley & Hilary G. Montano

  4. Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, 23667, VA, USA

    Hilary G. Montano, Monica Hernandez & Marinell M. Miller

Authors
  1. Michelle L. Kelley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hilary G. Montano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nick Lam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Monica Hernandez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marinell M. Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Consortia

VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Workgroup

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michelle L. Kelley.

Additional information

This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton VA. The contents do not represent the views of the US Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kelley, M.L., Montano, H.G., Lam, N. et al. Modeling Risk for Intimate Partner Violence among Recent-Era Veteran-Partner Dyads. J Fam Viol 32, 505–512 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-016-9903-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-016-9903-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation