Serving Substance Abuse Professionals Since 1993

Last Update: 08.09.11

C O R K O N L I N E

powerpoint presentations
CORK database search
resource materials
bibliographies
clinical tools
user services
newsletters
about cork
home

CORK Bibliography: Violence

84 citations. October 2010 to present

Prepared: September 2011

Abramsky T; Watts CH; Garcia-Moreno C; Devries K; Kiss L; Ellsberg M et al. What factors are associated with recent intimate partner violence? Findings from the WHO multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence. BMC Public Health 11: article 109, 2011. (38 refs.)

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a global public health and human rights concern. Despite a growing body of research into risk factors for IPV, methodological differences limit the extent to which comparisons can be made between studies. We used data from ten countries included in the WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence to identify factors that are consistently associated with abuse across sites, in order to inform the design of IPV prevention programs. Methods: Standardised population-based household surveys were done between 2000 and 2003. One woman aged 15-49 years was randomly selected from each sampled household. Those who had ever had a male partner were asked about their experiences of physically and sexually violent acts. We performed multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of physical and/or sexual partner violence within the past 12 months. Results: Despite wide variations in the prevalence of IPV, many factors affected IPV risk similarly across sites. Secondary education, high SES, and formal marriage offered protection, while alcohol abuse, cohabitation, young age, attitudes supportive of wife beating, having outside sexual partners, experiencing childhood abuse, growing up with domestic violence, and experiencing or perpetrating other forms of violence in adulthood, increased the risk of IPV. The strength of the association was greatest when both the woman and her partner had the risk factor. Conclusions: IPV prevention programs should increase focus on transforming gender norms and attitudes, addressing childhood abuse, and reducing harmful drinking. Development initiatives to improve access to education for girls and boys may also have an important role in violence prevention.

Alleyne B; Coleman-Cowger VH; Crown L; Gibbons MA; Vines LN. The effects of dating violence, substance use and risky sexual behavior among a diverse sample of Illinois youth. Journal of Adolescence 34(1): 11-18, 2011. (27 refs.)

This study examines the relationship between dating violence, forced sexual intercourse (FSI), and four measures of sexual risk taking (i.e., age at first sex, number of recent (within the last three months) sex partners, alcohol/drug use at last sex, and condom use at last sex) among a sample of 1124 ethnically diverse sexually active adolescents in Illinois. Given conflicting reports regarding the role of gender in dating violence, and the dearth of research examining the role of gender in relations between dating violence, sexual violence, and sexual risk taking, we also examine whether gender moderates the relation between these constructs. The findings indicate significant relationships among dating violence and FSI and age at first sex, number of sexual partners, and condom use across various ethnic groups. Findings also show that when controlling for gender, dating violence and FSI are related to number of sexual partners and age at first intercourse regardless of ethnic group identification.

Andrews CM; Cao DC; Marsh JC; Shin HC. The impact of comprehensive services in substance abuse treatment for women with a history of intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women 17(5): 550-567, 2011. (38 refs.)

This study examines the impact of comprehensive services on posttreatment substance use among women with a history of intimate partner violence. The sample includes 1,123 women from 50 treatment facilities derived from the National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study (NTIES). Generalized linear mixed modeling was used to determine whether a history of intimate partner violence moderates the association between service receipt and posttreatment substance use. Significant interactions were found between history of intimate partner violence and concrete (p = .016) and family services (p = .023) in predicting substance use.

Asgeirsdottir BB; Sigfusdottir ID; Gudjonsson GH; Sigurdsson JF. Associations between sexual abuse and family conflict/violence, self-injurious behavior, and substance use: The mediating role of depressed mood and anger. Child Abuse & Neglect 35(3): 210- 219, 2011. (56 refs.)

Objective: To examine whether depressed mood and anger mediate the effects of sexual abuse and family conflict/violence on self-injurious behavior and substance use. Methods: A cross-sectional national survey was conducted including 9,085 16-19 year old students attending all high schools in Iceland in 2004. Participants reported frequency of sexual abuse, family conflict/violence, self-injurious behavior, substance use, depressed mood, and anger. Results: Sexual abuse and family conflict/violence had direct effects on self-injurious behavior and substance use among both genders, when controlling for age, family structure, parental education, anger, and depressed mood. More importantly, the indirect effects of sexual abuse and family conflict/violence on self-injurious behavior among both males and females were twice as strong through depressed mood as through anger, while the indirect effects of sexual abuse and family conflict/violence on substance use were only significant through anger. Conclusions: These results indicate that in cases of sexual abuse and family conflict/violence, substance use is similar to externalizing behavior, where anger seems to be a key mediating variable, opposed to internalizing behavior such as self-injurious behavior, where depressed mood is a more critical mediator. Practice implications: Practical implications highlight the importance of focusing on a range of emotions, including depressed mood and anger, when working with stressed adolescents in prevention and treatment programs for self-injurious behavior and substance use.

Barrett EL; Mills KL; Teesson M. Hurt people who hurt people: Violence amongst individuals with comorbid substance use disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. Addictive Behaviors 36(7): 721-728, 2011. (58 refs.)

Aims: The association between substance use disorder (SUD) and the perpetration of violence has been well documented. There is some evidence to suggest that the co-occurrence of post traumatic stress drsorder (PTSD) may increase the risk for violence. This study aims to determine the prevalence of violence perpetration and examine factors related to violence amongst individuals with comorbid SUD and PTSD. Design and participants: Data was collected via interview from 102 participants recruited to a randomised controlled trial of an integrated treatment for comorbid SUD and PTSD. Measurements: The interview addressed demographics, perpetration of violent crime, mental health including aggression, substance use, PTSD, depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder. Findings: Over half of participants reported committing violence in their lifetime and 16% had committed violence in the past month. Bivariate associations were found between violence perpetration aid trait aggression, higher levels of alcohol and cannabis use, lower levels of other opiate use, and experiencing more severe PTSD symptoms, particularly in relation to hyperarousal. When entered into a backward stepwise logistic regression however, only higher levels of physical aggression and more severe PTSD hyperarousal symptoms remained as independent predictors of violence perpetration. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of assessing for PTSD amongst those with SUD particularly in forensic settings. They also indicate that it is the hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD specifically that need to be targeted by interventions aimed at reducing violence amongst individuals with SUD and PTSD.

Beckerleg S. 'Idle and disorderly' khat users in Western Uganda. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy 17(4): 303-314, 2010. (23 refs.)

Aims: To describe and analyse patterns of khat consumption and the response of the authorities to such drug use in Western Uganda. Methods: Participant-observation and key informant interviews were carried out in Western Uganda during 2007, 2008 and 2009. Findings: Khat is legal in Uganda but its use, especially when combined with alcohol and cannabis, is linked with violent crime by many Ugandans. In Western Uganda local government authorities have attempted to crack down on khat: in Bushenyi District they have introduced a by-law; in other districts khat traders and consumers face arrest and charges of being 'idle and disorderly'. Conclusion: The authorities, by clamping down on khat, because they perceive it to be a cause of violent crime, are targeting a substance that is widely reported in the academic literature to cause apathy, not violence.

Benishek LA; Kirby KC; Dugosh KL. Prevalence and frequency of problems of concerned family members with a substance-using loved one. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 37(2): 82-88, 2011. (26 refs.)

Background: Limited research has examined the prevalence and frequency of specific problems of concerned family members and significant others (CSOs) of alcohol- or substance-using individuals (SUIs). Objectives: We surveyed CSOs of SUIs to determine the prevalence and frequency of their problems and explored whether relationship to the SUI, gender of the CSO, or living arrangements altered problem prevalence and frequency. Methods: Non-substance-using CSOs (n == 110) completed the Significant Other Survey, which asks about problems in seven domains (emotional; family; relationship; financial; health; violence; legal). Problem outcomes were compared based on the CSO's relationship to the SUI (partner or spouse vs. parent), gender of the CSO (male vs. female), and living arrangements of the CSO and the SUI (residing together vs. residing apart). Results: Problems were prevalent with at least two-thirds of the participants endorsing one or more problems in all but the legal domain. They also occurred frequently, with CSOs reporting problems on one-third to one-half of the past 30 days, in all but the violence and legal domains. Problems tended to be greater for CSOs who were partners, females, or living with the SUI. Conclusion: CSOs experience frequent problems in a wide range of life domains and the types of difficulties they experience appear to differ based on type of relationship, gender, and their living arrangement relative to the SUI. Scientific Significance: This investigation expands our understanding of the specific problems that CSOs face. The findings have important implications for treatment and health policy regarding these individuals.

Bo S; Abu-Akel A; Kongerslev M; Haahr UH; Simonsen E. Risk factors for violence among patients with schizophrenia. (review). Clinical Psychology Review 31(5): 711-726, 2011. (279 refs.)

Studies of birth cohorts show evidence of greater risk of violence among patients with schizophrenia compared to the general population. However, the contribution of schizophrenia to violence is heavily debated and remains unclear. This debate has spurred research whose focus can be associated with one of the following areas: psychotic symptoms, personality disorders (in particular psychopathy), mentalizing abilities, substance abuse and demographic factors. The aim of the current review is to evaluate the predictive role of these risk factors in the occurrence of violence among patients with schizophrenia. We identified two different trajectories for violent behavior in schizophrenia: one pertains to patients with no prior history of violence or criminal behavior and for whom positive symptoms appear to explain violent behavior, and another where personality pathology, including psychopathy, predict violence, regardless of other symptomatology associated with schizophrenia. Furthermore, emergent data suggest that specific mentalizing profiles can be associated with the occurrence of violence in schizophrenia, an issue that warrants further consideration in future research.

Booth BM; Mengeling M; Torner J; Sadler AG. Rape, sex partnership, and substance use consequences in women veterans. Journal of Traumatic Stress 24(3): 287-294, 2011. (40 refs.)

The association of rape history and sexual partnership with alcohol and drug use consequences in women veterans is unknown. Midwestern women veterans (N = 1,004) completed a retrospective telephone interview assessing demographics, rape history, substance abuse and dependence, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One third met lifetime criteria for substance use disorder (SUD), half reported lifetime completed rape, a third childhood rape, one quarter in-military rape, 11% sex with women. Lifetime SUD was higher for women with rape history (64% vs. 44%). Women with women as sex partners had significantly higher rates of all measures of rape, and also lifetime substance use disorder. Postmilitary rape, sex partnership, and current depression were significantly associated with lifetime SUD in multivariate models (odds ratio = 2.3, 3.6, 2.1, respectively). Many women veterans have a high need for comprehensive mental health services.

Brennan IR. In Vino Silentium? Individual, situational, and alcohol-related factors in reporting violence to the police. Violence and Victims 26(2): 191-207, 2011. (53 refs.)

This study identifies the individual, situational, and alcohol-related factors associated with reporting violent victimization to the police. Factors positively associated with reporting included older age and incident severity (the assailant's use of a weapon, incurring injury that required attendance at an emergency department). Factors negatively associated with reporting included higher educational qualifications, assault in the nighttime economy (NTE), and drinking more than two alcoholic drinks immediately prior to victimization. It is possible that drinkers engage in "moratorium" on reporting violence in the NTE. Recognizing and reducing the acceptability of violence in the NTE may help reduce incidence of alcohol-related violence. Organizations that use police records of violence to inform practice and policy should account for uneven distributions in reporting behavior when analyzing trends in violence.

Caballero MA; Ramos L; Gonzalez C; Saltijeral MT. Family violence and risk of substance use among Mexican adolescents. Child Abuse & Neglect:576-584 34(8): 576-584, 2010. (51 refs.)

Objective: Determine the relationship between psychological and physical violence, exerted by fathers and/or mothers, and inter- or extra-familiar sexual violence with risk for consuming tobacco, alcohol and drugs among adolescents. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with students in two secondary schools in Mexico City. A total of 936 students participated: 54.3% males and 45.7% females, ranging between 12 and 16 years of age. A self-administered questionnaire was applied. This included Straus' Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales, as well as instruments to evaluate sexual violence and substance use, among other components. Results: Over half of the adolescents reported psychological or physical violence exerted by their parents, and 1 in 10, sexual violence. The proportion of use of the 3 substances was similar in both sexes. Logistic regression analysis for males showed that psychological violence, exerted by either parent, implied twice the risk for the victims to use tobacco. For males, having suffered sexual violence increased the risk of consuming drugs various times. For females, being a victim of multiple forms of violence within the family increased the risk of consuming tobacco, alcohol and drugs notably, in comparison to non-victims. Conclusions: Treatment programs for young people who have suffered family violence should consider adolescence not only as a stage of vulnerability for substance use but also as a critical time to implement preventive measures. For these measures, a joint strategy for both parents and adolescents should be considered, not only to stop the violence but also warn the parents about the serious consequences of the same.

Chavira C; Bazargan-Hejazi S; Lin J; del Pino HE; Bazargan M. Type of alcohol drink and exposure to violence: An emergency department study. Journal of Community Health 36(4): 597-604, 2011. (27 refs.)

We compared the prevalence of exposure to violence across different types of alcohol consumed and the association between the type of alcohol consumed and exposure to violence. A cross-sectional analysis of data collected from a sample of 295 Emergency Department (ED) patients identified as having an alcohol problem. Outcome measure include exposure to violence, and the main study predictor was "type of alcoholic drink" including: malt liquor beer (MLB), regular beer, wine cooler, wine, fortified wine or hard liquor. Using logistic regression analysis, ED patients who drank MLB in combination with other types of alcohol increased their odds of being both threatened and physically attacked by 8.5 compared to ED patients who drank other types of alcohol. Being female increased the odds of being both threatened and physically attacked by 2.5 and using illicit drugs increased the odds by 3.8. Analysis of covariance and estimated marginal means revealed that ED patients who only drank MLB had a higher exposure to violence compared to non-MLB drinkers, and that female illicit drug users who drank MLB in combination with other types of alcohol had the highest exposure to violence. MLB was identified as a predictor of the amount of exposure to violence and in particular, that the use of malt liquor beer in combination with other types of alcohol increased the risk of being both threatened and physically attacked. Implications for ED and community interventions are suggested.

Choo EK; Nicolaidis C; Jenkinson RH; Cox JM; McConnell KJ. Failure of intimate partner violence screening among patients with substance use disorders. Academic Emergency Medicine 17(8): 886-889d, 2010. (10 refs.)

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between substance use disorder (SUD) and intimate partner violence (IPV) screening and management practices in the emergency department (ED). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult ED patients presenting to an urban, tertiary care teaching hospital over a 4-month period. An automated electronic data abstraction process identified consecutive patients and retrieved visit characteristics, including results of three violence screening questions, demographic data, triage acuity, time of visit, and International Classifications of Disease, 9th revision (ICD-9), diagnosis codes. Data on management were collected using a standardized abstraction tool by two reviewers masked to the study question. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictors of screening and management. Results: In 10,071 visits, 6,563 violence screens were completed. IPV screening was documented in 33.5% of patients with alcohol-related diagnoses (95% confidence interval [CI] = 27.7% to 39.3%, chi 2 = 116.78, p < 0.001) and 53.3% of patients with drug-related diagnoses (95% CI = 44.3% to 62.3%, chi 2 = 7.69, p = 0.006), compared to 66.1% of patients without these diagnoses (95% CI = 65.2% to 67.1%). In the multivariate analysis, alcohol (odds ratio [OR] = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.22 to 0.40) and drug use (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.38 to 0.83) were associated with decreased odds of screening. Of completed screens, 429 (6.5%) were positive, but violence was addressed further in only 55.7% of patients. Substance abuse did not appear to affect the odds of having positive screens addressed further by providers (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 0.39 to 10.14). Conclusions: This study found an association between SUD and decreased odds of IPV screening. Failure to screen for IPV in the setting of substance use may represent a missed opportunity to address a critical health issue and be a barrier to successful intervention.

Clements K; Schumacher JA. Perceptual biases in social cognition as potential moderators of the relationship between alcohol and intimate partner violence: A review. (review). Aggression and Violent Behavior 15(5): 357-368, 2010. (99 refs.)

Heavy drinking and alcohol use disorders are well-established risk factors for the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet, there is considerable debate over the functional role of alcohol in IPV. Psychopharmacological effects of alcohol intoxication may escalate the risk of violence directly by impairing cognitive function and facilitating aggressogenic processes by distorting perceptions of social cues and lowering inhibitions. Additionally, alcohol limits the capacity to attend to social cues and, in conflict situations, may thereby increase the salience of provocative cues. Importantly, research on stable personality characteristics of partner-violent men has identified social cognitive processing biases that may heighten the risk for IPV, especially during alcohol intoxication. This review examines social perceptual deficits as possible moderators of the effect of alcohol on IPV within the context of the multiple threshold model. Specifically, we examine maladaptive or deficient social perceptual processes that have been identified as risk factors for IPV and have also been implicated as moderators of the association between alcohol and general aggression: empathic accuracy, facial affect recognition, and anger/hostile attribution biases. Despite the interrelations among cognitive processes related to IPV and risk markers for alcohol-related aggression, many of these constructs continue to be examined in separate literatures.

Cohn AM; McCrady BS; Epstein EE; Cook SM. Men's avoidance coping and female partner's drinking behavior: A high-risk context for partner violence? Journal of Family Violence 25(7): 679-687, 2010. (35 refs.)

The current study explored whether men's avoidance coping in response to the drinking behavior of their female partner with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) would be associated with higher levels of men's perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). Women with an AUD (n = 109) and their male partners in a U.S. urban area were assessed on men's perpetration of minor and severe violence using the Conflict Tactics Scale, men's avoidance coping using the Spouse Behavior Questionnaire, and men's and women's drinking behavior using the Time Line Follow Back Interview. Using multiple regression analysis, results showed that men's use of avoidance coping significantly predicted male IPV perpetration over and above the women's perpetration of violence toward him, while women's alcohol use did not significantly predict male-to-female IPV perpetration. Implications for teaching emotion-regulation strategies to male partners of women with an AUD to cope with partner drinking are discussed.

Connor-Smith JK; Henning K; Moore S; Holdford R. Risk assessments by female victims of intimate partner violence: Predictors of risk perceptions and comparison to an actuarial measure. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 26(12): 2517-2550, 2011. (31 refs.)

Recent studies support the validity of both structured risk assessment tools and victim perceptions as predictors of risk for repeat intimate partner violence (IPV). Combining structured risk assessments and victim risk assessments leads to better predictions of repeat violence than either alone, suggesting that the two forms of assessment provide unique and complementary information. However, very little is known about elements involved in women's risk assessments. The present study explores predictors of women's risk assessment and differences in factors linked to victim and actuarial risk assessments in a large sample of women (N = 728) shortly after the arrest of their male partner for IPV. In multivariate analyses, women's risk assessments were strongly related to past relationship violence and their partner's substance abuse but weakly related to demographic factors, family constellation, and the partner's criminal history. Women who perceived high risk but had a low risk score on an actuarial measure were more likely to report the presence of dynamic risk factors, such as escalating violence and violence during separations, along with a history of emotional and psychological abuse. Qualitative findings paralleled quantitative findings, with women's stated reasons for expecting high or low risk indicating that women were attending to IPV history and dynamic factors. Implications for risk assessment and safety planning are discussed.

da Fonseca RMGS; Egry EY; Guedes RN; Gutierres AR; Tezzei FPN. Violence against women: A study of the reports to police in the city of Itapevi, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Midwifery 27(4): 469-473, 2011. (17 refs.)

Background: Violence against women is a serious problem caused by the social construction of feminineness and masculineness that results in the domination of women by men. Public policies on gender have recently been developed in order to confront the problem. But what exactly are the problems faced by women? Purposes: to survey and analyse cases of violence against women reported to the police, as recorded at the Police Stations for Women's Defence (PSWDs), and to reconstruct the procedures that women must go through in order to denounce their aggressors. Methodology: this quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study was undertaken during 2006-2007 in the city of Itapevi, Sao Paulo metropolitan region, Brazil. As there is no PSWD data were collected from police reports from PSWDs of neighbouring cities. Findings: malicious physical injury (49%) and threats (42%) were the most commonly reported types of violence. The victims were aged between 20 and 49 years (93%). Almost all of the aggressors (97%) were men and most had an intimate relationship with their victim. The use of alcoholic beverages was linked to approximately 25% of the cases. Conclusion: women who are victims of domestic violence in Itapevi report that going through PSWDs of neighbouring cities is a difficult, isolated, long and expensive process that often, provides no institutional protection. Implications for practice: there is an urgent requirement for judicial-assistance and support close to home in order to provide a quality service and follow-up for these women and their aggressors; to provide training for the professionals called to attend them at police stations; and for a caring attitude from health-care professionals.

Dietze P; Room R; Jolley D; Matthews S; Chikritzhs T. The adverse consequences of drinking in a sample of Australian adults. Journal of Substance Use 16(2): 116-126, 2011. (22 refs.)

Design and method: A random sample of adults (18+, N =1,608) was interviewed by telephone for self-reported experience of adverse consequences of alcohol consumption. Results: Ten per cent reported experiencing either alcohol related life-area problems and or physical, emotional, legal problems as a result of their drinking in the previous year. Around 4% reported getting into a fight after they had been drinking and 6%% reported adverse effects of alcohol on their physical health. There were variations by age, and other correlates, such as drinking patterns, but not by gender. For example, while only 4% of the sample aged 35-44 reported being injured or injuring someone else, 17% of the sample aged under 25 reported being injured or injuring another. Conclusions: Young Victorians and those who reported riskier drinking were generally more likely to report experiencing adverse consequences than older Victorians and those who reported less risky drinking. This is important in the Australian context, with a focus on the harms associated with young people's drinking the subject of much recent public debate.

Duke AA; Giancola PR; Morris DH; Holt JCD; Gunn RL. Alcohol dose and aggression: Another reason why drinking more is a bad idea. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 72(1): 34-43, 2011. (30 refs.)

Objective: Numerous studies have examined the impact of alcohol on violence; however, only a small number have addressed differences elicited by different doses of alcohol. Such studies are limited by mixed findings, small sample sizes, inconsistent alcohol doses and control conditions, a bias toward studying only male participants, and the predominant use of only one particular measure to assess aggression. The present laboratory investigation was designed to elucidate and advance this literature by improving on these limitations. Method: Participants were 187 (95 men and 92 women) social drinkers. Following the consumption of one of six alcohol doses (i.e., 0.0 g/kg. 0.125 g/kg, 0.25 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg, 0.75 g/kg, and 1.0 g/kg), participants were tested on a laboratory task in which electric shocks were received from and administered to a fictitious opponent under the guise of a competitive reaction-time task. Aggression was operationalized as the intensity and duration of shocks administered to one's "opponent." Results: Analyses revealed a highly significant positive linear trend between alcohol dose and aggression for both genders. Conclusions: Our data aid in clarifying a body of literature that has been afflicted with numerous limitations and will help guide the selection of alcohol doses for researchers conducting future laboratory-based aggression studies.

Duke MR; Cunradi CB. Measuring intimate partner violence among male and female farmworkers in San Diego County, CA. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology 17(1): 59-67, 2011. (85 refs.)

Although there are over one million farmworkers in the United States, little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) among this population. Given the particular demands of agricultural labor, however, farmworkers and their partners are highly susceptible to a host of occupation-specific stressors that may result in relationship conflict, and thereafter IPV. In cases where one or both members of the dyad engage in problematic drinking, the likelihood of violence increases exponentially. The purpose of this exploratory quantitative study was to estimate the prevalence of IPV among a mixed gender sample of farmworkers in San Diego County, California, and assess the association of potential correlates (acculturation- and work-related stress, problem drinking, and impulsivity) to IPV. Bilingual interviewers conducted survey data collection by using standardized instruments (e.g., Revised Conflict Tactics Scale: Migrant Farm Work Stress Inventory; AUDIT). Nearly all participants (n = 100) were Mexican born. Results showed that approximately 16% of female individuals (n = 61) and 32% of male individuals (n = 37) reported partner violence perpetration, victimization, or both, in the past year. Significant correlates of IPV were problem drinking (among males) and impulsivity (among females). This study demonstrates the feasibility of conducting IPV research among male and female farmworkers. Additional research is warranted to more fully explore the role of acculturation- and work-related stress, drinking, and other personal characteristics and environmental factors in precipitating couple conflict and thereafter IPV.

Durrance CP; Golden S; Perreira K; Cook P. Taxing sin and saving lives: Can alcohol taxation reduce female homicides? Social Science & Medicine 73(1): 169-176, 2011. (56 refs.)

With costs exceeding $5.8 billion per year, violence against women has significant ramifications for victims, their families, the health care systems that treat them, and the employers who depend on their labor. Prior research has found that alcohol abuse contributes to violence against both men and women, and that stringent alcohol control policies can reduce alcohol consumption and in turn some forms of violence. In this paper, we estimate the direct relationship between an important alcohol control measure, excise taxes, and the most extreme form of violence, homicide. We use female homicide rates as our measure of severe violence, as this measure is consistently and accurately reported across multiple years. Our results provide evidence that increased alcohol taxes reduce alcohol consumption and that reductions in alcohol consumption can reduce femicide. Unfortunately, a direct test of the relationship does not have the power to determine whether alcohol taxes effectively reduce female homicide rates. We conclude that while alcohol taxes have been shown to effectively reduce other forms of violence against women, policy makers may need alternative policy levers to reduce the most severe form of violence against women.

El-Bassel N; Gilbert L; Witte S; Wu EW; Chang MW. Intimate partner violence and HIV among drug-involved women: Contexts linking these two epidemics-challenges and implications for prevention and treatment. Substance Use & Misuse 46(2-3): 295-306, 2011. (106 refs.)

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV are two serious overlapping public health epidemics that disproportionately affect drug-involved women. This article reviews research that has identified a number of contexts that may explain the links between IPV and HIV transmission risks. These contexts include sexual coercion, fear of violence, negotiation of condom use, extradyadic relationships, disclosure of sexually transmitted infections or HIV seropositivity to intimate partners, drug involvement of women and their male partners, low social status of drug-involved women, relationship dependencies, and sex ratio imbalances. The article focuses on how the bidirectional relationship between IPV and HIV risks may be mediated by a history of childhood sexual abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. Also addressed are the challenges that substance user treatment programs face in dealing with female clients who experience IPV and the implications for HIV prevention.

Engstrom M; Shibusawa T; El-Bassel N; Gilbert L. Age and HIV sexual risk among women in methadone treatment. AIDS and Behavior 15(1): 103-113, 2011. (89 refs.)

This study examines the relationship between age and HIV sexual risk behaviors among a random sample of 372 women in methadone treatment in New York City. Logistic regression results indicate that women of all ages are at risk for HIV through inconsistent condom use. Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), alcohol use, and HIV-negative status are associated with inconsistent condom use during vaginal sex. Age (35-44), having a main sexual partner with an HIV risk factor, IPV, and alcohol use are associated with using crack or cocaine during sex. Similarly, age (35-44), having a main sexual partner with an HIV risk factor, IPV, and drug use are associated with consuming four or more drinks prior to sex. The findings highlight the importance of age-appropriate HIV prevention and intervention strategies, as well as the need to address intimate partner violence, mental health, polysubstance use, and relational factors associated with HIV sexual risk behaviors among women in methadone treatment.

Fallot RD; McHugo GJ; Harris M; Xie HY. The trauma recovery and empowerment model: A quasi-experimental effectiveness study. Journal of Dual Diagnosis 7(1-2): 74- 89, 2011. (36 refs.)

Objective: A quasi-experimental study tested the effectiveness of the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM), a group intervention for women trauma survivors, in comparison to services as usual. Methods: Two hundred fifty-one women with histories of physical and/or sexual abuse and co-occurring serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders completed comprehensive study assessments at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. TREM groups were added to standard services at two community mental health agencies in Washington, DC (n = 153). Comparison group participants received usual services at two agencies in Baltimore, MD (n = 98). Results: TREM participants showed greater reductions in alcohol and drug abuse severity, anxiety symptoms, and current stressful events, and they showed greater increases in perceived personal safety. There were no group differences in change for posttraumatic stress disorder and global mental health symptoms, physical and mental health-related quality of life, and exposure to interpersonal abuse. Changes in trauma recovery skills were associated positively with gains in study outcomes for TREM group participants. Conclusions: Despite design limitations, this study provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of the TREM intervention for a heterogeneous population of women trauma survivors with co-occurring disorders when added to usual services.

Felson RB; Savolainen J; Bjarnason T; Anderson AL; Zohra IT. The cultural context of adolescent drinking and violence in 30 European countries. Criminology 49(3): 699-728, 2011. (46 refs.)

Cross-national variation in the effect of alcohol on adolescent violence is examined with survey data from 30 European countries. The data are analyzed using a method that makes it possible to isolate the nonspurious portion of the alcohol-violence relationship in different countries. In addition, multilevel models are used to estimate the effects of region and contextual measures of adolescent drinking on the alcohol-violence relationship. The evidence suggests that drinking has a strong effect on adolescent violence in the Nordic and Eastern European countries but has little or no effect in the Mediterranean countries. In the Mediterranean countries, where adolescents drink frequently but in moderation, the relationship between alcohol use and violence is almost entirely spurious. Findings suggest that the observed pattern is due to regional differences in the tendency for adolescents and their peers to drink to intoxication, as well as in their tendency to become intoxicated in settings where adult guardianship is absent.

Fossos N; Kaysen D; Neighbors C; Lindgren KP; Hove MC. Coping motives as a mediator of the relationship between sexual coercion and problem drinking in college students. Addictive Behaviors 36(10): 1001-1007, 2011. (63 refs.)

Sexually coercive experiences, heavy alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems occur at relatively high base rates in college populations. As suggested by the self-medication hypothesis, alcohol consumption may be a means by which one can reduce negative affect or stress related to experiences of sexual coercion. However, few studies have directly tested the hypothesis that coping motives for drinking mediate the relation between sexual assault and problem drinking behaviors, and no published studies have tested this in men. The current study tested this hypothesis using structural equation modeling in a sample of 780 male and female undergraduates. Results: revealed that coping motives partially mediated the relation between sexual coercion and drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences. In addition, direct and indirect paths between sexual coercion and drinking were found for men whereas only indirect paths were found for women. Results provide support for self-medication models of drinking and suggest the importance of exploring gender differences in mechanisms for drinking.

Friend J; Langhinrichsen-Rohling J; Eichold BH. Same-day substance use in men and women charged with felony domestic violence offenses. Criminal Justice and Behavior 38(6): 619- 633, 2011. (52 refs.)

This archival study reviewed 196 closed felony domestic violence files from a large southern city from the years 1999-2006. The purpose was to provide information on the co-occurrence of substance use and intimate partner violence (IPV) for male and female perpetrators on the day of the violent incident. Results indicated that of the 141 of 196 cases in which there was documentation about drug or alcohol involvement, 67.4% (n = 95) of the cases confirmed that there was drug or alcohol use on the day of the incident. Male perpetrators were significantly more likely to have been involved with alcohol and/or drugs the day of the violent episode than were female perpetrators. Sex of offender and race analyses revealed that the percentage of female IPV perpetrators (42.9%) was substantial and African Americans, particularly women, were overrepresented in IPV felony charges. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Gass JD; Stein DJ; Williams DR; Seedat S. Intimate partner violence, health behaviours, and chronic physical illness among South African women. South African Medical Journal 100(9): 582-585, 2010. (26 refs.)

Objectives. An association between intimate partner violence and adverse physical health outcomes and health-risk behaviours among women has been established, most scientific research having been conducted in the USA and other developed countries. There have been few studies in developing countries, including South Africa, which has one of the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the world. We therefore sought to study the association between physical intimate partner violence and physical health outcomes and behaviours among South African women. Methods. Using data from the cross-sectional, nationally representative South African Stress and Health Study, we assessed exposure to intimate partner violence, health-risk behaviours, health-seeking behaviours and chronic physical illness among a sample of 1 229 married and cohabiting women. Results. The prevalence of reported violence was 31%. This correlated with several health-risk behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, and use of non-medical sedatives, analgesics and cannabis) and health-seeking behaviours (recent visits to a medical doctor or healer). Intimate partner violence was not significantly associated with chronic physical illness, although rates of headache, heart attack and high blood pressure reached near-significance. Conclusions. Partner violence against women is a significant public health problem in South Africa, associated with health-risk behaviours and increased use of medical services. Public health programmes should incorporate interventions to mitigate the impact of violence on victims and reduce the risk of negative behavioural outcomes. Further investigation of the pathways between violence exposure and health.

Giancola PR; Duke AA; Ritz KZ. Alcohol, violence, and the alcohol myopia model: Preliminary findings and implications for prevention. Addictive Behaviors 36(10): 1019-1022, 2011. (21 refs.)

This experiment provided a preliminary test of whether the Alcohol Myopia Model (AMM; Steele & Josephs, 1990) would provide a guiding framework for the prevention of alcohol-related violence. The model contends that alcohol has a "myopic" effect on attentional capacity that presumably facilitates violence by focusing attention onto more salient provocative, rather than less salient inhibitory, cues in hostile situations. Participants were 16 intoxicated male social drinkers who completed a laboratory task in which electric shocks were received from, and administered to, a fictitious opponent under the guise of a competitive reaction-time task while they were exposed to either violence-promoting (n = 8) or violence-inhibiting (n = 8) cues. Aggression was operationalized as the intensity and duration of shocks administered by the participant to his "opponent." Despite being equally intoxicated, participants exposed to violence-inhibiting cues were dramatically less aggressive (d = 1.65) than those exposed to the violence-promoting cues. Our data suggest that the AMM holds a great deal of promise to help develop effective prevention interventions for alcohol-related violence.

Gilchrist G; Hegarty K; Chondros P; Herrman H; Gunn J. The association between intimate partner violence, alcohol and depression in family practice. BMC Family Practice 11: e-article 72, 2010. (54 refs.)

Background: Depressive symptoms, intimate partner violence and hazardous drinking are common among patients attending general practice. Despite the high prevalence of these three problems; the relationship between them remains relatively unexplored. Methods: This paper explores the association between depressive symptoms, ever being afraid of a partner and hazardous drinking using cross-sectional screening data from 7667 randomly selected patients from a large primary care cohort study of 30 metropolitan and rural general practices in Victoria, Australia. The screening postal survey included the Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale, the Fast Alcohol Screening Test and a screening question from the Composite Abuse Scale on ever being afraid of any intimate partner. Results: 23.9% met criteria for depressive symptoms. A higher proportion of females than males (20.8% vs. 7.6%) reported ever being afraid of a partner during their lifetime (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.5 to 4.0) and a lower proportion of females (12%) than males (25%) were hazardous drinkers (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.4 to 0.5); and a higher proportion of females than males (20.8% vs. 7.6%) reported ever being afraid of a partner during their lifetime (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.5 to 4.0). Men and women who had ever been afraid of a partner or who were hazardous drinkers had on average higher depressive symptom scores than those who had never been afraid or who were not hazardous drinkers. There was a stronger association between depressive symptoms and ever been afraid of a partner compared to hazardous drinking for both males (ever afraid of partner; Diff 6.87; 95% CI 5.42, 8.33; p < 0.001 vs. hazardous drinking in last year; Diff 1.07, 95% CI 0.21, 1.94; p = 0.015) and females (ever afraid of partner; Diff 5.26; 95% CI 4.55, 5.97; p < 0.001 vs. hazardous drinking in last year; Diff 2.23, 95% CI 1.35, 3.11; p < 0.001), even after adjusting for age group, income, employment status, marital status, living alone and education level. Conclusions: Strategies to assist primary care doctors to recognise and manage intimate partner violence and hazardous drinking in patients with depression may lead to better outcomes from management of depression in primary care.

Golder S; Logan TK. Cumulative victimization, psychological distress, and high-risk behavior among substance-involved women. Violence and Victims 26(4): 477-495, 2011. (74 refs.)

This research addressed two questions: (a) What is the relationship between different patterns of cumulative victimization and psychological distress? And (b) How does the pattern of cumulative victimization and psychological distress influence women's engagement in substance- and sex-related risk behavior? Data were analyzed from interviews with 149 sexually active, crack-using women who completed a follow-up interview after participating in the Kentucky National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) AIDS Cooperative Agreement. Findings from the multivariate analyses indicated that victimization accounted for 5% and 39% of the variance in psychological distress and high-risk behavior, respectively; cumulative victimization and psychological distress accounted for 6% to 11% of the variance in the high-risk behaviors. Results highlight the affects of childhood and adult victimization on psychological distress and the associations between different types of psychological distress and risk behavior.

Gonzalez-Guarda RM; Vasquez EP; Urrutia MT; Villarruel AM; Peragallo N. Hispanic women's experiences with substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and risk for HIV. Journal of Transcultural Nursing 22(1): 46-54, 2011. (21 refs.)

Hispanic females are disproportionately affected by substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and HIV. Despite these disparities, research describing the cultural and gender-specific experiences of Hispanic women with regard to these conditions is lacking. The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences that Hispanic community-dwelling women have with regard to substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors. Eight focus groups with 81 women were conducted. A bilingual, bicultural moderator asked women open-ended questions regarding the experiences that Hispanic women have with these conditions. Focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed, translated, verified, and then analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Participants discussed substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors interchangeably, often identifying common risk factors associated with these. Nevertheless, intimate partner violence was the most salient of conditions discussed. Three major themes emerged from the analysis: Transplantadas en otro mundo (Uprooted in another world), El criador de abuso (The breeding ground of abuse), and Rompiendo el silencio (Breaking the silence). This study supports the importance of addressing substance abuse, violence, and risk for HIV in an integrated manner and stresses the importance of addressing associated cultural factors (e.g., acculturation, machismo) in interventions targeting Hispanics.

Graham K. Commentary on Norstrom & Pape (2010): Unleashing the beast within? Suppressed anger and changes in drinking and fighting. (editorial). Addiction 105(9): 1587-1588, 2010. (9 refs.)

Gray NS; Taylor J; Snowden RJ. Predicting violence using structured professional judgment in patients with different mental and behavioral disorders. Psychiatry Research 187(1-2): 248- 253, 2011. (45 refs.)

We examined whether a leading instrument for the prediction of future violence in those with a mental disorder, The Historical, Clinical, Risk Management-20 (HCR-20) was equally effective across a wide range of mental health diagnoses. Records at the time of discharge from secure psychiatric services were used to score the HCR-20 risk assessment scheme. Patients were stratified according to whether they had received a particular mental health diagnosis. Reconvictions within 2 years of discharge were obtained from official sources and classified as to whether the offence was violent or not. Those with a diagnosis of either personality disorder or substance abuse were most likely to be reconvicted, whilst those with either a diagnosis of schizophrenia or mental retardation were the least likely. The HCR-20 was a statistically significant predictor of future violence in all groups; however, it returned only weak effects for the personality disordered group, but strong effects for those in the schizophrenia or mental retardation group. The HCR-20 risk assessment scheme is effective across a wide range of diagnoses. Nevertheless, the prediction of future events appears more difficult in those disorders characterized by impulsive behaviors and further research efforts are needed to understand how such prediction can be improved.

Gretton HM; Clift RJW. The mental health needs of incarcerated youth in British Columbia, Canada. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry 34(2): 109-115, 2011. (45 refs.)

The purpose of the study was to identify the current prevalence of mental disorders and mental health needs among incarcerated male and female youths in Canada, and to present these data in the context of rates found in other jurisdictions. One hundred forty male and 65 female incarcerated young offenders in British Columbia were screened with the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument Version 2 (MAYSI-2); provisional psychiatric diagnoses were assessed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV (DISC-IV); abuse history and aggressive symptoms of Conduct Disorder (CD) were coded from file information. Nearly all youths (91.9% of males and 100% of females) met the criteria for at least one mental disorder. Substance abuse and dependence disorders were highly prevalent (85.5% of males and 100% of females). Aggressive forms of CD were common (72.9% of males and 84.3% of females), as were exposure to physical abuse (60.8% of males and 54.3% of females) and sexual abuse (21.2% of males and 42.4% of females). Female youths had significantly higher odds of presenting with: (1) substance abuse/dependence disorders; (2) current suicide ideation; (3) sexual abuse; (4) PTSD; (5) symptoms of depression and anxiety; (6) Oppositional Defiant Disorder; and (7) multiple mental disorder diagnoses. Male youths had significantly higher odds of presenting with aggressive symptoms of CD. Overall, rates of mental disorder among this sample of serious and violent young offenders were higher than rates previously reported for incarcerated youths - both in Canada and in other jurisdictions.

Hamilton AB; Goeders NE. Violence perpetrated by women who use methamphetamine. Journal of Substance Use 15(5): 313-329, 2010. (47 refs.)

Methamphetamine (meth) is widely recognized as being associated with violence and aggression. This association is found among women and men, with rates of meth-related violence among women possibly being equal to or even exceeding rates among men. This study examined female-perpetrated violence from the phenomenological point of view of 30 women (aged 18-45 years; mean age of 28.5 years) in residential treatment for meth dependence. Of the 30 participants, 80% (n = 24) reported experiencing violence in their lifetimes: 67% (n = 20) had violence perpetrated against them, and 57% (n = 17) had perpetrated violence. Most participants described perpetrating violence when they were 'coming down' off of meth (i.e. withdrawing). Five women (29%) attributed their violent behaviors to meth and said they would not have been violent had they not been using meth. In contrast, 10 women (59%) described pre-existing 'anger issues' that were 'enhanced' by meth. This article describes the timing of meth-related violence, bi-directional violence, men's responses to female-perpetrated violence, aggression in the context of sexual activities, and violence perpetrated against non-partners. A biopsychosocial theoretical framework is useful to interpret the complex explanations that women provide for their perpetration of violence under the influence of chronic meth use.

Hohman M; Roads L; Corbett R. Initial validation of a subtle trauma symptom screening scale embedded in a needs assessment given to women entering drug treatment. Journal of Dual Diagnosis 6(1): 2-15, 2010. (29 refs.)

Trauma-informed treatment suggests that all women entering alcohol and other drug treatment be screened for past exposure to violence and current trauma symptoms, but sometimes clients are reluctant to reveal this information. The purpose of this study was to validate a subgroup of items from a needs assessment given to women upon admission to residential substance use disorder treatment. These items are similar to those found on other trauma symptom measures. At intake, 368 clients were given a 69-item general needs assessment scale, "What I Want From Treatment," along with an interview regarding history of violence. Items reflective of trauma symptoms on the needs assessment were selected for factor analysis. Principal components analysis using varimax rotation found 6 items with high loadings and good internal consistency. An index of prior abuse history correlated with the scale, indicating concurrent validity. More than half of the sample reported prior physical and sexual abuse but did not want to address it in treatment. This measure can provide a Subtle Trauma Symptom Screening Scale to help alert clinicians to possible trauma symptoms in clients who are reticent to disclose them.

Hughes K; Bellis MA; Calafat A; Blay N; Kokkevi A; Boyiadji G et al. Substance use, violence, and unintentional injury in young holidaymakers visiting Mediterranean destinations. Journal of Travel Medicine 18(2): 80-89, 2011. (44 refs.)

Methods. A cross-sectional comparative survey of 6,502 British and German holidaymakers aged 16 to 35 years was undertaken in airports in Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Results. Overall, 3.8% of participants reported having been in a physical fight (violence) on holiday and 5.9% reported unintentional injury. Two thirds reported having been drunk on holiday and over 10% using illicit drugs. Levels of drunkenness, drug use, violence, and unintentional injury all varied with nationality and holiday destination. Violence was independently associated with being male, choosing the destination for its nightlife, staying 8 to 14 days, smoking and using drugs on holiday, frequent drunkenness, and visiting Majorca (both nationalities) or Crete (British only). Predictors of unintentional injury were being male, younger, using drugs other than just cannabis on holiday, frequent drunkenness, and visiting Crete (both nationalities). Conclusions. Violence and unintentional injury are substantial risks for patrons of international resorts offering a hedonistic nightlife. Understanding those characteristics of resorts and their visitors most closely associated with such risks should help inform prevention initiatives that protect both the health of tourists and the economy of resorts marketed as safe and enjoyable places to visit.

Klostermann K; Kelley ML; Milletich RJ; Mignone T. Alcoholism and partner aggression among gay and lesbian couples. (review). Aggression and Violent Behavior 16(2): 115- 119, 2011. (79 refs.)

The link between alcoholism and intimate partner violence (IPV) among heterosexual couples has received a great deal of attention in both the scientific and lay press. However, relative to heterosexual couples, IPV among alcohol-disordered homosexual couples has been grossly understudied. Despite the limited knowledge based on this topic, previous studies suggest that homosexual couples may experience more problematic drinking behaviors, higher rates of IPV, and in general, display more negative factors associated with treatment-seeking behaviors than heterosexual couples. In addition, because the study of alcoholism and IPV among homosexuals is a relatively new phenomenon, research on alcohol use patterns, dyadic adjustment, and partner violence is greatly lacking. Thus, the purpose of this review is to describe the prevalence of these comorbid conditions among lesbian and gay couples, discuss the link between alcohol misuse and partner violence in this population, identify factors that may reduce treatment-seeking behavior among same sex couples, and describe possible treatment approaches.

Krienert JL; Walsh JA. My Brother's Keeper: A contemporary examination of reported sibling violence using national level data, 2000-2005. Journal of Family Violence 26(5): 331-342, 2011. (47 refs.)

Identified as a social problem in 1980, sibling violence has been labeled the most common and least researched form of family violence in the United States (Eriksen and Jensen 2006, 2008). Extant research has limitations including definitional inconsistencies, overreliance on small retrospective clinical samples, and limited use of officially reported national level data for profiles of victims and offenders. Although often trivialized as a "normal" part of growing up, sibling violence has links to an array of complications manifesting later in life including physical and emotional disorders, school bullying, substance abuse, and domestic violence. This work draws on 6 years of National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data (2000-2005) (n = 33,066) to provide the most comprehensive source of baseline information on this understudied form of intrafamilial violence. The research explores demographic and incident characteristics extending the knowledge beyond typical victim descriptives to incorporate offender profiles and incident level information including the type of violence/victimization, substance use, weapon use, and degree of injury sustained. Findings, in part, suggest several gender based victim and offender differences with female siblings involved in more serious injury incidents than their male sibling counterparts.

Kroll J; Yusuf AI; Fujiwara K. Psychoses, PTSD, and depression in Somali refugees in Minnesota. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 46(6): 481- 493, 2011. (57 refs.)

Introduction: Initial clinical observation of Somali patients seen at a busy inner-city community clinic (CUHCC) suggested that, in addition to the expected pictures of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression previously seen in the clinic's Southeast Asian refugee population from 1980 to 2000, there was an unusually high number of young Somali men presenting with acute psychotic disturbances. Objectives The aim of this study of health care utilization of Somali refugees (N = 600) seen in the mental health unit of the clinic from 2001 to 2009 was to investigate the major patterns of psychiatric disorders in this outpatient population and compare these findings with a cohort of non-Somali patients (N = 3,009) seen at the same outpatient clinic during the years 2007-2009. If the results supported the initial clinical observations that the rate of psychoses was higher among young Somali men than non-Somali men attending CUHCC clinic, then several areas of further research would recommend itself. First, since this study was not a study of prevalence of mental illness in the Somali community, the next step would be to undertake a study of community prevalence of mental illness among different age and gender cohorts. Second, further research should look into likely causative and contributory risk factors to explain the development of psychoses among Somali young men. Methods: Somali and non-Somali patients were diagnosed according to DSM-IV-R criteria. Main outcome measures (diagnoses, age cohort, sex) were analyzed by Chi-square tests. Patterns of illness and adjustment varied significantly by age and gender cohorts, reflecting the relevance of age and gender at time of trauma on different trauma and loss experiences and cultural and religious shaping of subsequent adjustment and symptoms. Results: The study confirmed that almost half of the Somali male patients are under age 30, 80% of whom presented with psychoses, compared with the rate of psychosis (13.7%) in the non-Somali control group of same-aged males at the clinic. The older male, and the majority of Somali female patients, show predominantly depressive and PTSD symptomatology. Conclusions: War trauma experienced in childhood, early malnutrition from famines, head trauma, and excess Khat use in male adolescents provide partial explanations for the large number of young psychotic Somali men seen in the clinic from 2001 to 2009.

Lipsky S; Caetano R. Intimate partner violence perpetration among men and emergency department use. Journal of Emergency Medicine 40(6): 696-703, 2011. (41 refs.)

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and emergency department (ED) use share common risk factors, such as risk-taking behaviors, but little is known about the relationship between IPV perpetration and ED use or the effect of risk-taking on this relationship. Study Objectives: This study examined the relationship between IPV perpetration, risk-taking, and ED utilization among men in the general U.S. population. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, focusing on non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic male respondents 18-49 years of age cohabiting with a spouse or partner. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Approximately 38% of IPV perpetrators reported ED use in the previous year, compared to 24% of non-perpetrators. Several risk-taking factors (e.g., perception of risk-taking, transportation-related risk-taking, and aggression-related arrest), alcohol and illicit drug use and abuse or dependence, and serious mental illness were positively associated with IPV perpetration. Men reporting IPV were 1.5 times (AOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.01-2.13) more likely than non-perpetrators to utilize the ED, after taking all factors into account. Drug abuse or dependence, transportation-related risk behaviors, and serious mental illness also were independently associated with ED use. Conclusions: The results indicate that men who perpetrate IPV are more likely than non-perpetrators to use ED services. These findings suggest that screening for IPV, as well as risk-taking and mental illness among men accessing ED services may increase opportunities for intervention and referral.

Looman J; Abracen J. Substance abuse among high-risk sexual offenders: Do measures of lifetime history of substance abuse add to the prediction of recidivism over actuarial risk assessment instruments? Journal of Interpersonal Violence 26(4): 683-700, 2011. (45 refs.)

There has been relatively little research on the degree to which measures of lifetime history of substance abuse add to the prediction of risk based on actuarial measures alone among sexual offenders. This issue is of relevance in that a history of substance abuse is related to relapse to substance using behavior. Furthermore, substance use has been found to be related to recidivism among sexual offenders. To investigate whether lifetime history of substance abuse adds to prediction over and above actuarial instruments alone, several measures of substance abuse were administered in conjunction with the Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide (SORAG). The SORAG was found to be the most accurate actuarial instrument for the prediction of serious recidivism (i.e., sexual or violent) among the sample included in the present investigation. Complete information, including follow-up data, were available for 250 offenders who attended the Regional Treatment Centre Sex Offender Treatment Program (RTCSOTP). The Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) were used to assess lifetime history of substance abuse. The results of logistic regression procedures indicated that both the SORAG and the MAST independently added to the prediction of serious recidivism. The DAST did not add to prediction over the use of the SORAG alone. Implications for both the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders are discussed.

Madruga CS; Laranjeira R; Caetano R; Ribeiro W; Zaleski M; Pinsky I; Ferri CP. Early life exposure to violence and substance misuse in adulthood: The first Brazilian national survey. Addictive Behaviors 36(3): 251-255, 2011. (30 refs.)

Background: Substance misuse has been a major source of health and social problems in developing societies as it has been elsewhere. There is a growing body of evidence from developed nations linking early exposure to violence in childhood with substance misuse in adulthood. The role of depression on this association is not clear. This study estimates the association between early life exposure to violence, alcohol disorders and illegal substance use in adulthood and the role of depression on these associations using a national Brazilian sample. Methods: The first Brazilian National Alcohol Survey gathered information on early exposure to violence and use of psychoactive substances in 1880 participants aged 20 to 60 years old selected at random from the Brazilian household population. We used weighted logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios for the associations between early exposure to violence and substance misuse. To assess the mediating effect of depression on these associations we used the Sobel-Goodman Mediation Test. Results: Witnessing violence during childhood or adolescence was reported by nearly 20% of the participants whilst over 8% reported having been victims of at least one form of violence. There was a statistically significant association between early exposure to violence and alcohol abuse and/or dependence and use of illegal substances in adulthood with a dose-response relationship. Depression partially explained the association between early exposure to violence with alcohol dependence (18.77% p<0.001) and did not have a statistically significant mediating effect on the association with illegal substance use (5.83% p = 0.220). Conclusions: Adverse early life events may affect individual's susceptibility to substance misuse which can be partially mediated by depression. Prevalence of substance misuse in adulthood may be in part attributed to the prevalence of adverse childhood experience. While prevention is the ideal goal, detection and intervention with children exposed to violence must be prioritised.

Mbilinyi LF; Neighbors C; Walker DD; Roffman RA; Zegree J; Edleson J et al. A telephone intervention for substance-using adult male perpetrators of intimate partner violence. Research on Social Work Practice 21(1): 43-56, 2011. (90 refs.)

Objective: To preliminarily evaluate telephone-delivered motivational enhancement therapy (MET) in motivating unadjudicated and nontreatment seeking intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators, who also use substances, to self-refer into treatment. Method: 124 adult men were recruited via a multimedia marketing campaign and were randomly assigned to the intervention (MET) or comparison group following a baseline assessment. Participants in the MET condition received a personalized feedback report on their IPV and substance-use behaviors, consequences, and social norms beliefs. Results: Results supported the likely effectiveness of MET in short-term reduction of IPV behavior, increasing motivation for treatment seeking, and changing perceived norms for IPV and substance abuse (SA). Conclusions: Applications for brief MET interventions to facilitate voluntary treatment entry among substance-using IPV perpetrators are discussed.

McMurran M; Riemsma R; Manning N; Misso K; Kleijnen J. Interventions for alcohol-related offending by women: A systematic review. (review). Clinical Psychology Review 31(6): 909-922, 2011. (56 refs.)

Treatment programmes specifically for women offenders are under-developed. A systematic review of studies that could inform interventions for alcohol-related offending by women is reported. Three questions were addressed: 1) What is the most up to date knowledge of 'what works' with females who commit alcohol-related offences? 2) What are the identifiable risk-needs factors for non-alcohol dependent women who commit offences involving alcohol misuse? 3) Are there differences between male and female alcohol-related offending? Four studies addressed the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions; three addressed identifiable risk-needs; and 19 addressed differences between male and female offenders' alcohol-related offending. Heterogeneity of these studies precluded meta-analyses, and so a narrative synthesis method was used. There is insufficient evidence to answer the question of what treatment works with women who commit alcohol-related offences. Drunk-driving is most widely studied, and women offenders appear to have more psychosocial problems than men. Alcohol increases the likelihood of violence for both men and women, and, while the mechanisms whereby alcohol increases the likelihood of violence are likely the same in men and women, the effect may be moderated by gender-associated issues. Again, women offenders appear to have more psychosocial problems than men. Implications for developing interventions are discussed.

Moore SC; Brennan IR; Murphy S; Byrne E; Moore SN; Shepherd JP et al. The reduction of intoxication and disorder in premises licensed to serve alcohol: An exploratory randomised controlled trial. BMC Public Health 10: e-607, 2010. (29 refs.)

Background: Licensed premises offer a valuable point of intervention to reduce alcohol-related harm. Objective: To describe the research design for an exploratory trial examining the feasibility and acceptability of a premises-level intervention designed to reduce severe intoxication and related disorder. The study also aims to assess the feasibility of a potential future large scale effectiveness trial and provide information on key trial design parameters including inclusion criteria, premises recruitment methods, strategies to implement the intervention and trial design, outcome measures, data collection methods and intra-cluster correlations. Design: A randomised controlled trial in licensed premises that had experienced at least one assault in the year preceding the intervention, documented in police or hospital Emergency Department (ED) records. Premises were recruited from four study areas by piloting four recruitment strategies of varying intensity. Thirty two licensed premises were grouped into matched pairs to reduce potential bias and randomly allocated to the control or intervention condition. The study included a nested process evaluation to provide information on intervention acceptability and implementation. Outcome measures included police-recorded violent incidents, assault-related attendances at each premises' local ED and patron Breath Alcohol Concentration assessed on exiting and entering study premises. Results: The most successful recruitment method involved local police licensing officers and yielded a 100% success rate. Police-records of violence provided the most appropriate source of data about disorder at the premises level. Conclusion: The methodology of an exploratory trial is presented and despite challenges presented by the study environment it is argued an exploratory trial is warranted. Initial investigations in recruitment methods suggest that study premises should be recruited with the assistance of police officers. Police data were of sufficient quality to identify disorder and street surveys are a feasible method for measuring intoxication at the individual level.

Moraes CL; da Silva TDT; Reichenheim ME; Azevedo GL; Oliveira ASD; Braga JU. Physical violence between intimate partners during pregnancy and postpartum: A prediction model for use in primary health care facilities. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 25(5): 478-486, 2011. (50 refs.)

This article offers a simple predictive model of physical intimate partner violence (PIPV) to be used by primary health care (PHC) professionals. The sample comprised 811 mothers of children <5 months old attending PHC facilities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A multinomial logit model was used. Measured by the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales, PIPV was classified in three levels (absence, at least one episode during pregnancy or postpartum, and presence in both periods). Socio-economic, demographic and life style variables were considered as potential predictors. Maternal age <20 years, an education of <8 years of schooling, raising >2 children under 5, tobacco smoking, alcohol misuse and illicit drug use by the mother and/or partner, and perception of baby's ill-health were identified as predictors of PIPV. The model-projected prevalence of PIPV for pregnancy and/or postpartum was just 10.1% in the absence of these characteristics, whereas this increased to 96.4% when all the seven characteristics were present. Child, maternal and family characteristics greatly increase the likelihood of PIPV and could be used together as screening indicators.

Murphy DA; Shetty V; Herbeck DM; Der-Martirosian C; Urata M; Yamashita DD. Adolescent orofacial injury: Association with psychological symptoms. Psychology, Health & Medicine 15(5): 574-583, 2010. (25 refs.)

Ethnic minority youth living in urban areas experience disproportionately high rates of violent intentional injuries. This study investigates the association of violent intentional injuries with psychological distress and alcohol use among adolescents treated in trauma centers for facial injuries. Interviews were conducted with 67 adolescents treated at two urban trauma centers (predominantly males [86%], and minority [Latino, 72%; African American, 19%]). Adolescents reported experiencing several different types of accidental and assault-related injuries that required medical attention in the past six months. About half (53%) reported experiencing only unintentional injuries (e. g. car accidents, falls, sports injury); 23% experienced one type of intentional injury resulting from either fighting or being attacked; and 24% experienced two types of intentional injuries resulting from both fighting and being attacked. Measures of alcohol use and psychological distress were examined in relation to these three types of injuries. Overall, 30% of study participants reported they had been drinking alcohol at the time of injury. Compared to adolescents without intentional injuries, those who experienced a physical fight and/ or attack had higher levels of alcohol problems, depression, paranoia and somatic symptoms, and were more likely to have family members with alcohol problems. There is a considerable need for adolescents with intentional assault-related injuries to be screened for alcohol and mental health problems, and to be referred for appropriate treatment interventions if they score at problem levels.

Murphy DA; Shetty V; Zigler C; Researchell J; Yamashita DD. Willingness of facial injury patients to change causal substance using behaviors. Substance Abuse 31(1): 35-42, 2010. (21 refs.)

Many injuries due to interpersonal violence among patients presenting to urban trauma centers for treatment are preventable, with alcohol and illicit drug use presenting as common antecedent risk factors. However, many patients with such problems do not seek treatment. Substance use patients were surveyed to determine how many recognized they had a problem and whether they had previously received treatment for substance use problems. Almost 60% of the patients treated for a facial injury screened for problem alcohol use, and slightly more than 25% screened for problem drug use. Only approximately one third of patients indicated any movement towards dealing with these problems and of these, only 20% had actually sought treatment. Employment had an effect on treatment seeking, with fewer employed patients seeking help. Utilizing the critical window of opportunity for emergency department (ED) personnel to make referrals may have an impact on treatment seeking for problem level substance use.

Nemeth Z; Kun B; Demetrovics Z. The involvement of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in reported sexual assaults: A systematic review. (review). Journal of Psychopharmacology 24(9): 1281-1287, 2010. (48 refs.)

Over the past few years gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has generated widespread media interest as a possible 'date rape drug'. Our goal was to examine the extent to which GHB is associated with drug-facilitated sexual assaults. Literature was searched systematically and 11 studies, published between 1961 and June 30, 2009, were identified dealing specifically with the role of GHB in sexual assaults. GHB was detected in 0.2-4.4% of reported sexual assaults. The results demonstrate that a wide range of drugs may be present in cases of sexual assault, and many of them are much more frequent than GHB. Our results do not support the widespread labelling of GHB as a date rape drug as the prevalence of GHB is much lower than of other substances used in sexual assaults. On the other hand, however, the possible risk of GHB in this regard should not be neglected. Nevertheless, over-sensitive and sensation seeking media reports focusing on the association of sex crime and GHB might be counterproductive and misleading as they turn the attention away from other substances that are often used in sexual assaults.

Nguyen HV; Kaysen D; Dillworth TM; Brajcich M; Larimer ME. Incapacitated rape and alcohol use in White and Asian American college women. Violence Against Women 16(8): 919-933, 2010. (69 refs.)

This study examined the role of Asian ethnicity as a moderator of drinking outcomes associated with alcohol-related sexual assault (incapacitated rape). Participants were 5,467 Asian American and White college women. Results found the overall MANOVA for ethnicity and incapacitated rape (IR) interactions to be significant. Asian American participants with no history of IR had fewer drinking problems than White American participants with no history of IR. Asian American participants with IR histories had more drinking problems than White Americans with IR histories. Findings indicate Asian Americans who experience IR may be at increased risk for negative alcohol outcomes.

Norstrom T; Pape H. Alcohol, suppressed anger and violence. Addiction 105(9): 1580-1586, 2010. (53 refs.)

Aims: Is alcohol related causally to violence, and if so, is the effect of drinking contingent on suppressed anger such that it is strongest among individuals who are highly inclined to withhold angry feelings? We addressed these questions by analysing panel data using a method that diminishes the effects of confounding factors. Design: We analysed data on heavy episodic drinking and violent behaviour from the second (1994) and third (1999) waves of the Young in Norway Longitudinal Study (n = 2697; response rate: 67%). The first difference method was applied to estimate the association between these behaviours, implying that changes in the frequency of violence were regressed on changes in the frequency of drinking. Hence, the effects of time-invariant confounders were eliminated. Analyses were conducted for the whole sample, and for groups scoring low, medium and high on a short version of the STAXI anger suppression scale. Findings: Changes in drinking were related positively and significantly to changes in violent behaviour, but the alcohol effect varied with the level of suppressed anger: it was strongest in the high-anger group (elasticity estimate = 0.053, P = 0.011) and weakest (and insignificant) in the low-anger group (elasticity estimate = 0.004, P = 0.806). Conclusions: Alcohol use may be related causally to violence, but the effect of drinking is confined to individuals who are inclined to suppress their angry feelings.

Oshiro A; Poudyal AK; Poudel KC; Jimba M; Hokama T. Intimate partner violence among general and urban poor populations in Kathmandu, Nepal. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 26(10): 2073-2092, 2011. (28 refs.)

Comparative studies are lacking on intimate partner violence (IPV) between urban poor and general populations. The objective of this study is to identify the prevalence and risk factors of physical IPV among the general and poor populations in urban Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted by structured questionnaire interview. Participants included 905 ever-married women in Kathmandu aged 15 to 49 years. Of the 905 participants, 680 were randomly selected from general population and 225 were recruited from urban poor population, who lived in purposively selected two communities. The prevalence and association between ever experiencing physical IPV and sociodemographic variables were examined. Results showed that the prevalence of physical IPV was 33.8% among the urban poor population (n = 225) and 19.9% among the general population (n = 680; p < .01). Several factors were significantly associated with physical IPV in both populations: the frequency of the husband's drinking, polygyny, and lower household economic status. However, two factors were associated with physical IPV only among the general population: the husband's lower educational level and early marriage. The conclusions of this study are that compared to the general population, the urban poor population showed a significantly higher prevalence of physical IPV and differences in the associated risk factors. The urban poor population requires focused data collection as well as tailored interventions to reduce IPV.

Palmer RS; McMahon TJ; Rounsaville BJ; Ball SA. Coercive sexual experiences, protective behavioral strategies, alcohol expectancies and consumption among male and female college students. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 25(9): 1563-1578, 2010. (44 refs.)

Alcohol use and sexual assault on college campuses are highly prevalent and the focus of numerous prevention and intervention efforts. Our goals were to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between coercive sexual experiences, utilization of protective behavioral strategies and alcohol expectancies and consumption among male and female college students. We surveyed 370 college students regarding their past year experiences and found that 34% of women and 31% of men reported unwanted sexual contact, 6% of women and 13% of men reported engaging in sexually coercive behavior, and 4% of women and 9% of men reported experiencing both unwanted contact and engaging in sexually coercive behavior. Findings indicated students who experienced unwanted sexual contact reported significant differences in alcohol expectancies. More specifically, those who engaged in sexually coercive behaviors had significantly higher sex-related alcohol expectancies. In addition, recipients of unwanted contact reported higher alcohol consumption, used fewer protective strategies when drinking, and experienced more negative consequences due to their alcohol use. Results suggest that campus alcohol and sexual assault prevention efforts should include information on alcohol expectancies and use of protective strategies.

Reynolds MD; Tarter RE; Kirisci L; Clark DB. Marijuana but not alcohol use during adolescence mediates the association between transmissible risk for substance use disorder and number of lifetime violent offenses. Journal of Criminal Justice 39(3, special issue): 218-223, 2011. (24 refs.)

Aim: This study determined the extent to which alcohol and marijuana use during adolescence mediates the relation between transmissible risk for substance use disorder (SUD) and lifetime number of different types of violent offenses. Methods: The transmissible liability index was administered to 359 10-12 year old youths who were tracked to 22 years of age. Past year frequency of alcohol and marijuana consumption was longitudinally tracked to age 22 at which time lifetime violent offenses was recorded. Results: Rate of increase in marijuana use mediated the association between transmissible risk and lifetime number of different types of violent offenses. No association was found between past year frequency of alcohol use and violent offenses. Conclusions: Prevention directed at lowering the psychological characteristics associated with transmissible risk for SUD may also reduce violent offending.

Rhodes KV; Kothari CL; Dichter M; Cerulli C; Wiley J; Marcus S. Intimate partner violence identification and response: Time for a change in strategy. Journal of General Internal Medicine 26(8): 894-899, 2011. (35 refs.)

BACKGROUND: While victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) present to health care settings for a variety of complaints; rates and predictors of case identification and intervention are unknown. OBJECTIVE: Examine emergency department (ED) case finding and response within a known population of abused women. DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study. SUBJECTS: Police-involved female victims of IPV in a semi-rural Midwestern county. MAIN MEASURES: We linked police, prosecutor, and medical record data to examine characteristics of ED identification and response from 1999-2002; bivariate analyses and logistic regression analyses accounted for the nesting of subjects' with multiple visits. RESULTS: IPV victims (N = 993) generated 3,426 IPV-related police incidents (mean 3.61, median 3, range 1-17) over the 4-year study period; 785 (79%) generated 4,306 ED visits (mean 7.17, median 5, range 1-87), which occurred after the date of a documented IPV assault. Only 384 (9%) ED visits occurred within a week of a police-reported IPV incident. IPV identification in the ED was associated with higher violence severity, being childless and underinsured, more police incidents (mean: 4.2 vs 3.3), and more ED visits (mean: 10.6 vs 5.5) over the 4 years. The majority of ED visits occurring after a documented IPV incident were for medical complaints (3,378, 78.4%), and 72% of this cohort were never identified as victims of abuse. IPV identification was associated with the day of a police incident, transportation by police, self-disclosure of "domestic assault," and chart documentation of mental health and substance abuse issues. When IPV was identified, ED staff provided legally useful documentation (86%), police contact (50%), and social worker involvement (45%), but only assessed safety in 33% of the women and referred them to victim services 25% of the time. CONCLUSION: The majority of police-identified IPV victims frequently use the ED for health care, but are unlikely to be identified or receive any intervention in that setting.

Rothman EF; Stuart GL; Greenbaum PE; Heeren T; Bowen DJ; Vinci R et al. Drinking style and dating violence in a sample of urban, alcohol-using youth. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 72(4): 555-566, 2011. (72 refs.)

Objective: This study examined childhood abuse, problem behavior, drinking style, and dating violence (DV). Our goal was to assess whether (a) alcohol use related beliefs and behaviors ("drinking style") would be associated with DV perpetration and victimization, (b) drinking style would mediate the relationship between childhood abuse and DV, and (c) the drinking style DV relationship would be attributable to propensity for problem behavior. Method: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 456 youth ages 14-21 years who were patients in an urban emergency department. Participants were eligible if they were unmarried and reported past-month alcohol use and dating in the past year. By design, the sample was 50% female. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: For both males and females, past-year DV was associated with a more risky drinking style, characterized by more frequent alcohol use, alcohol-aggression expectancies, drinking to cope, and beliefs that alcohol is disinhibiting and that being drunk provides a "time-out" from behavioral expectations. Drinking style mediated the childhood victimization DV relationship for males and females. However, when propensity for problem behavior was included in the model, the effect of drinking style on DV was no longer significant. Substantial path differences for males and females were observed. Conclusions: The current study examined adolescent drinking style as a potential mediator between childhood victimization and DV Drinking style was associated with DV for males and females and mediated the relationship between childhood victimization and DV The relationship between drinking style and DV appeared to reflect adolescents' propensity for problem behavior. Variations in males' and females' pathways to DV were observed. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Sambisa W; Angeles G; Lance PM; Naved RT; Curtis SL. Physical and sexual abuse of wives in urban Bangladesh: Husbands' reports. Studies In Family Planning 41(3): 165-178, 2010. (108 refs.)

Using data from 8,320 husbands' self reports for the 2006 Urban Health Survey, this article examines the prevalence of physical and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrated by husbands against their wives in Bangladesh and identifies risk markers associated with such violence. Of the men included in the sample for this study, 55 percent reported perpetrating physical IPV against their wives at some point in their married lives, 23 percent reported perpetrating physical IPV in the past year, 20 percent reported ever perpetrating sexual IPV, and 60 percent reported ever perpetrating physical or sexual IPV. Bivariate analyses revealed that men residing in slums had a greater likelihood than those residing in nonslum areas and in district municipalities of perpetrating lifetime and past-year physical IPV, and any lifetime (physical or sexual) IPV. Lifetime sexual IPV prevalence, by contrast, was highest in district municipalities (26 percent), followed by slum (20 percent) and nonslum (17 percent) areas. Net of other factors, low socioeconomic levels were associated with men's increased likelihood of perpetrating IPV. Alcohol and drug use, sexually transmitted disease infection, poor mental health, and holding attitudes supportive of wife beating were predictive of IPV perpetration. These results suggest that IPV-prevention programs targeting men should consider spousal abuse, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors as social and public health problems and should also consider the sociocultural context within which men who abuse their partners are embedded.

Sarin E; Samson L; Sweat M; Beyrer C. Human rights abuses and suicidal ideation among male injecting drug users in Delhi, India. International Journal of Drug Policy 22(2): 161- 166, 2011. (56 refs.)

Background: Human rights abuses, denial of care, police surveillance, and violence directed at IDUs have been found to impact HIV prevention efforts due to decreased attendance in harm reduction programs. The association of mental health status with rights abuses has not been examined extensively among drug users. In India, drug control laws are often in conflict with harm reduction policies, thus increasing the likelihood of rights abuses against IDUs. The purpose of this study was to describe human rights abuses occurring among IDUs in Delhi and examine their association with suicidal ideation. Methods: 343 IDUs were recruited in two research sites in Delhi through respondent driven sampling and were interviewed with a cross sectional survey questionnaire that included items on human rights and socio demographics. Results: IDUs in the study experienced many human rights abuses. Notably among these were denial of admission into hospital (38.5%), denial of needles and syringes (20%), police arrests for carrying needles and using drugs (85%), verbal abuse (95%) and physical abuse (88%). Several human rights abuses were associated with suicidal ideation. These include being denied needles and syringes (OR: 7.28, 95% CI: 3.03-17.49); being arrested by police for carrying needles and using drugs (OR: 2.53,95% CI: 1.06-6.03), and being physically abused (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.05-2.23). The likelihood of suicidal ideation is also strongly related to the cumulative number of abuses. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that there is a high prevalence of human rights abuses among IDUs in Delhi. Given the alarming rate of suicidal ideation and its close relationship with human rights abuses it is essential that IOU interventions are executed within a rights-based framework.

Sawyer-Kurian KM; Browne FA; Carney T; Petersen P; Wechsberg WM. Exploring the intersecting health risks of substance abuse, sexual risk, and violence for female South African teen dropouts. Journal of Psychology in Africa 21(1): 15- 25, 2011. (41 refs.)

The study sought to better understand the cultural contexts of the risks for adolescent females who have dropped out of school. Focus groups were conducted with 37 Black and Coloured females aged 13 to 17 in Cape Town, South Africa. Data were analysed using content analysis. Methamphetamine, cannabis, and alcohol were used by both, however, Black teens also used methaqualone and Coloured teens used heroin and ecstasy. Some teens traded sex for drugs and others did so at the request of their drug-addicted mothers. Teens revealed high rates of violence, including rape, and many myths and barriers about condom use, revealing risky sex behaviours. Conclusion: Cultural nuances between the two groups will help inform the adaptation of an HIV prevention intervention.

Schneider R; Timko C; Moos B; Moos R. Violence victimization, help-seeking, and one- and eight-year outcomes of individuals with alcohol use disorders. Addiction Research & Theory 19(1): 22-31, 2011. (61 refs.)

We examined the associations of recent victimization with subsequent participation in alcohol-related treatment and mutual help, and with short- and long-term drinking and health outcomes. Treatment-naive men and women having an alcohol use disorder with (n = 73) or without (n = 491) recent violence victimization were assessed at baseline and 1 and 8 years later. Victimized individuals had more days intoxicated, drinking problems, symptoms of depression, and physical health problems at baseline, and were more likely to attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) during Year 1. Victimization at baseline predicted re-victimization at 1 year, and more depressive symptoms and physical health problems at 8 years. Participation in alcohol-related treatment or AA during Year 1 was associated with fewer drinking problems. In addition, treatment or AA participation was of greater benefit to victimized individuals in terms of reducing drinking-related or health problems. Alcohol use disorder interventions are effective for men and women with recent victimization, but additional services may be needed to remedy problems with depression and physical health and to prevent further victimization.

Senn TE; Carey MP; Vanable PA. The intersection of violence, substance use, depression, and STDs: Testing of a syndemic pattern among patients attending an urban STD clinic. Journal of the National Medical Association 102(7): 614-620, 2010. (67 refs.)

Objectives: High rates of psychosocial and health problems have been identified among patients attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics, who are disproportionately urban, have low income, and are racial/ethnic minorities. This study sought to determine whether these problems co-occurred and whether they indicated the presence of a syndemic. Methods: Patients (N = 1557, 46% female, 64% African American) attending an urban STD clinic completed a computerized survey assessing childhood sexual abuse (CSA), depressive symptoms, binge drinking, marijuana use, intimate partner violence (IPV), and sexual risk behavior. Medical records were reviewed to determine incident STD diagnosis. Results: The psychosocial and health problems were interrelated. Endorsing more psychosocial problems was associated with a greater likelihood of having multiple sexual partners and STD diagnosis. Interactions between CSA and marijuana use and between CSA and. IPV predicted STD diagnosis. Conclusions: Numerous psychosocial and health problems co-occur among urban STD clinic patients. There was some evidence of a syngergistic relationship (ie, a syndemic) between these conditions, resulting in worsened sexual health outcomes. Health care needs to be multidisciplinary to address the multiple psychosocial and health problems faced by STD clinic patients. Research needs to identify factors that may underlie these comorbid conditions.

Shamu S; Abrahams N; Temmerman M; Musekiwa A; Zarowsky C. A systematic review of African studies on intimate partner violence against pregnant women: Prevalence and risk factors. (review). PLoS ONE 6(3): article e17591, 2011. (58 refs.)

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is very high in Africa. However, information obtained from the increasing number of African studies on IPV among pregnant women has not been scientifically analyzed. This paper presents a systematic review summing up the evidence from African studies on IPV prevalence and risk factors among pregnant women. Methods: A key-word defined search of various electronic databases, specific journals and reference lists on IPV prevalence and risk factors during pregnancy resulted in 19 peer-reviewed journal articles which matched our inclusion criteria. Quantitative articles about pregnant women from Africa published in English between 2000 and 2010 were reviewed. At least two reviewers assessed each paper for quality and content. We conducted meta-analysis of prevalence data and reported odds ratios of risk factors. Results: The prevalence of IPV during pregnancy ranges from 2% to 57% (n = 13 studies) with meta-analysis yielding an overall prevalence of 15.23% (95% CI: 14.38 to 16.08%). After adjustment for known confounders, five studies retained significant associations between HIV and IPV during pregnancy (OR1.48-3.10). Five studies demonstrated strong evidence that a history of violence is significantly associated with IPV in pregnancy and alcohol abuse by a partner also increases a woman's chances of being abused during pregnancy (OR 2.89-11.60). Other risk factors include risky sexual behaviours, low socioeconomic status and young age. Conclusion: The prevalence of IPV among pregnant women in Africa is one of the highest reported globally. The major risk factors included HIV infection, history of violence and alcohol and drug use. This evidence points to the importance of further research to both better understand IPV during pregnancy and feed into interventions in reproductive health services to prevent and minimize the impact of such violence.

Shand FL; Degenhardt L; Slade T; Nelson EC. Sex differences amongst dependent heroin users: Histories, clinical characteristics and predictors of other substance dependence. Addictive Behaviors 36(1-2): 27-36, 2011. (88 refs.)

Introduction and aims To examine differences in the characteristics and histories of male and female dependent heroin users and in the clinical characteristics associated with multiple substance dependence diagnoses. Design and methods: 1513 heroin dependent participants underwent an interview covering substance use and dependence, psychiatric history, child maltreatment, family background, adult violence, and criminal history. Family background, demographic, and clinical characteristics were analysed by sex. Ordinal regression was used to test for a relationship between number of substance dependence diagnoses and other clinical variables. Results: Women were more likely to experience most forms of child maltreatment, to first use heroin with a boyfriend or partner, to experience ongoing adult violence at the hands of a partner, and to have a poorer psychiatric history than men. Males had more prevalent lifetime substance dependence diagnoses and criminal histories, and were more likely to meet the criteria for ASPD. Predictors of multiple substance dependence diagnoses for both sexes were mental health variables: antisocial behaviour, childhood sexual abuse, victim of adult violence, younger age at first cannabis use, and overdose. As the number of dependence diagnoses increased clinical and behavioural problems increased. Childhood emotional neglect was related to increasing dependence diagnoses for females, but not males, whereas PTSD was a significant predictor for males but not females. Discussion and conclusions: Mental health problems, other substance dependence, childhood and adult trauma were common in this sample with sex differences indicating different treatment needs and possible different pathways to heroin dependence for men and women.

Shetgiri R; Kataoka S; Ponce N; Flores G; Chung PJ. Adolescent fighting: Racial/ethnic disparities and the importance of families and schools. Academic Pediatrics 10(5): 323-329, 2010. (35 refs.)

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with fighting among African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino, and white youth, with a focus on family and school connectedness. METHODS: Subjects were 4010 adolescents (12-17 years old) from the 2003 California Health Interview Survey. Stratified logistic regression examined whether fighting in the past year was associated with various risk and protective factors among African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino, and white youth subsamples. RESULTS: Fighting was reported by 27% of African American, 24% of Latino, 16% of white, and 6% of Asian/Pacific Islander youth. Male gender, alcohol use, and smoking were associated with higher odds of fighting among whites and Latinos. Poverty was associated with higher odds of fighting among whites and African Americans, as was depression among Latinos. Higher family support was associated with decreased odds of fighting for white youth. Higher school support was associated with decreased odds of fighting for Latino youth. CONCLUSIONS: A higher proportion of African American and Latino youth report fighting than do whites and Asians/Pacific Islanders. There is, however, important variation in racial/ethnic disparities in risk and protective factors associated with fighting. Family and school factors may be protective against fighting. Prevention and intervention efforts to decrease youth violence might benefit from tailoring to communities' racial/ethnic composition and paying greater attention to family and community influences on adolescent fighting.

Sikkema KJ; Watt MH; Meade CS; Ranby KW; Kalichman SC; Skinner D et al. Mental health and HIV sexual risk behavior among patrons of alcohol serving venues in Cape Town, South Africa. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 57(3): 230-237, 2011. (60 refs.)

Background: Alcohol-serving venues in South Africa provide a location for HIV prevention interventions due to risk factors of patrons in these establishments. Understanding the association between mental health and risk behaviors in these settings may inform interventions that address alcohol use and HIV prevention. Methods: Participants (n = 738) were surveyed in 6 alcohol-serving venues in Cape Town to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms, traumatic experiences, sexual behavior, and substance use. Logistic regression models examined whether traumatic experiences predicted PTSD and depression. Generalized linear models examined whether substance use, PTSD, and depressive symptoms predicted unprotected sexual intercourse. Men and women were analyzed separately. Results: Participants exhibited high rates of traumatic experiences, PTSD, depression, alcohol consumption, and HIV risk behaviors. For men, PTSD was associated with being hit by a sex partner, physical child abuse, sexual child abuse and HIV diagnosis; depression was associated with being hit by a sex partner, forced sex and physical child abuse. For women, both PTSD and depression were associated with being hit by a sex partner, forced sex, and physical child abuse. Unprotected sexual intercourse was associated with age, frequency and quantity of alcohol use, drug use, and PTSD for men and frequency and quantity of alcohol use, depression, and PTSD for women. Conclusion: Mental health in this setting was poor and was associated with sexual risk behavior. Treating mental health and substance-use problems may aid in reducing HIV infection. Sexual assault prevention and treatment after sexual assault may strengthen HIV prevention efforts.

Sims C; Sabra D; Bergey MR; Grill E; Sarani B; Pascual J et al. Detecting intimate partner violence: More than trauma team education is needed. Journal of the American College of Surgeons 212(5): 867-872, 2011. (31 refs.)

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an underappreciated cause of morbidity and mortality in female trauma patients. We investigated the impact of a domestic violence education program for trauma residents on the detection of IPV. STUDY DESIGN: In January 2008, an educational IPV program was implemented for all trauma residents. A retrospective review of all female patients evaluated by the trauma service before and after institution of the IPV program was performed. Medical records were reviewed for demographic data, injury mechanism, social habits, and IPV documentation. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare patients before and after institution of the educational IPV program. RESULTS: The records of 645 female trauma patients evaluated in 2007 and 2008 were reviewed. Patients were not routinely asked about IPV, despite implementation of the educational program; 39.9% were asked about IPV in 2007 versus 46.1% in 2008 (p = 0.11). The positive disclosure of IPV did not increase from 2007 to 2008 (20.1% versus 21.2%; p = 0.83). Documentation about social habits increased considerably. In 2008, patients were asked more regularly about alcohol (71.8% versus 80.8%; p = 0.01), drugs (64.1% versus 73.7%; p = 0.01), and tobacco use (67.0% versus 78.1%; p = 0.002). Importantly, patients with documented IPV (n = 57) frequently presented to the trauma team with nonviolent mechanisms of injury (n = 30, 52.6%). CONCLUSIONS: IPV is a frequent finding in female trauma patients. Despite increased education, questions about IPV are not documented routinely. In addition, screening at-risk patients by mechanism will underestimate the prevalence of IPV. Universal screening should be mandated to increase IPV detection and enhance opportunities for intervention.

Slep AMS; Foran HM; Heyman RE; Snarr JD. Unique risk and protective factors for partner aggression in a large scale Air Force survey. Journal of Community Health 35(4): 375-383, 2010. (45 refs.)

The objective of this study is to examine risk factors of physical aggression against a partner in a large representative Active Duty Air Force sample. A stratified sample of 128,950 United States Active Duty members were invited to participate in an Air Force-wide anonymous online survey across 82 bases. The final sample (N = 52,780) was weighted to be representative of the United States Air Force. Backward stepwise regression analyses were conducted to identify unique predictors of partner physical aggression perpetration within and across different ecological levels (individual, family, organization, and community levels). Relationship satisfaction, alcohol problems, financial stress, and number of years in the military were identified as unique predictors of men's and women's perpetration of violence against their partner across ecological levels. Parental status, support from neighbors, personal coping, and support from formal agencies also uniquely predicted men's but not women's perpetration of violence across ecological levels. This study identified specific risk factors of partner violence that may be targeted by prevention and intervention efforts aimed at different levels of impact (e.g., family interventions, community-wide programs).

Spangaro J; Poulos RG; Zwi AB. Pandora doesn't live here anymore: Normalization of screening for intimate partner violence in Australian antenatal, mental health, and substance abuse services. Violence and Victims 26(1): 130-144, 2011. (43 refs.)

Routine screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) has been widely introduced in health settings, yet screening rates are often low. A screening policy was introduced statewide in Australia in antenatal, mental health, and substance abuse services. Annual snapshot indicates a sustained screening rate of 62%-75% since 2003. Focus group research with health care workers from 10 services found that initial introduction of screening was facilitated by brief, scripted questions embedded into assessment schedules, training, and access to referral services. Over time, familiarity and women's favorable reactions reinforced practice. Barriers remain, including lack of privacy, tensions about limited confidentiality, and frustration when women remain unsafe. Screening added to the complexity of work, but was well accepted by workers, and increased awareness of and responsiveness to IPV.

Stickley A; Pridemore WA. The effects of binge drinking and social capital on violent victimisation: Findings from Moscow. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 64(10): 902-907, 2010. (49 refs.)

Background: Rates of violence in Russia are among the highest in the world, and violent victimisation represents a major public health threat in the country. As yet, however, little research has been undertaken on what factors are associated with non-lethal violent victimisation in this setting. This study used data from the Moscow Health Survey 2004 to examine the effects of binge drinking and social capital on individuals' risk of non-fatal violent victimisation. Methods: A stratified random sampling strategy was used across Moscow's 125 municipal districts to collect data from 1190 individuals aged 18+ years. Respondents reported if they had been a victim of physical violence in the previous 12 months. Data were also collected on binge drinking (defined for men as consuming >= 80 g of pure alcohol, and for women >= 60 g of pure alcohol, at least once per month) and social capital (frequency of interaction with relatives, friends and acquaintances). Results: Overall, 8.7% of the respondents had been a victim of violence in the past 12 months. Men who binge drink were more than twice as likely to have been a victim of non-lethal violence (OR 2.19, CI 1.23 to 3.92), while greater levels of social capital acted as a protective factor against male victimisation (OR 0.82, CI 0.69 to 0.97). Neither binge drinking nor social capital was associated with violent victimisation among women. Conclusion: Urgent public health measures are now needed to reduce excessive alcohol consumption and detrimental drinking patterns to bring down the high levels of violent victimisation in Russia.

Stockl H; Heise L; Watts C. Factors associated with violence by a current partner in a nationally representative sample of German women. Sociology of Health & Illness 33(5): 694-709, 2011. (59 refs.)

Partner violence is a serious human rights violation and public health issue. Although its pervasiveness is well documented, more research is needed on risk and protective factors to inform interventions. This study is based on a secondary analysis of the first national survey on violence against women in Germany. Women who reported partner violence by their current partner were compared to women who never reported partner violence. The prevalence of physical or sexual violence, or both, by current partners was 17 per cent. Women who experienced violence during their childhood had higher odds of experiencing partner violence. Partner violence was associated with women's drug use in the last 5 years, physical disability or debilitating illness, having more than three children, experiencing violence by a non-partner and feeling socially excluded. The odds of violence also increased if both partners were unemployed or lacked vocational training or if only the woman had vocational skills. Relationships shorter than 5 years or where the man or both partners drank heavily were likewise associated with higher odds of violence. Partner violence interventions should focus on reducing children's exposure to violence and preparing women and men for the job market as well as including interventions that tackle social isolation and substance use.

Stockwell T. Commentary on Kypri, et al. (2011): Fighting the good fight against alcohol-related violence: One bar or one hour at a time? (commentary). Addiction 106(2): 311-312, 2011. (13 refs.)

Stover CS; McMahon TJ; Easton C. The impact of fatherhood on treatment response for men with co-occurring alcohol dependence and intimate partner violence. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 37(1): 74-78, 2011. (41 refs.)

Objective: The role of fathers in the lives of children has gained increasing attention over the last several decades, however, studies that specifically examine the parenting role among men who are alcohol dependent and have co-occurring intimate partner violence (IPV) have been limited. This brief report is intended to highlight the need to develop and focus interventions for men with co-occurring substance abuse and IPV with an emphasis on their roles as fathers. Method: Sixty-nine men who participated in a randomized comparison study of a coordinated substance abuse and domestic violence treatment program (SADV) and Twelve Step Facilitation (TSF) provided information about whether they were fathers. Analysis of covariance was used to assess the impact of fatherhood on the outcomes of intimate partner violence and alcohol use during the 12 weeks of treatment. Results: There was a significant interaction between type of treatment (SADV vs. TSF) and fatherhood. SADV resulted in significantly less IPV and use of alcohol over the 12 weeks of treatment than TSF for men without children. There were no significant differences between SADV and TSF for men who were fathers. Conclusion and Scientific Significance: Results indicate a need to further explore the role of fatherhood for men with co-occurring substance abuse and IPV and development of specialized treatments that may improve treatment outcomes for fathers.

Temple JR; Freeman DH. Dating violence and substance use among ethnically diverse adolescents. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 26(4): 701-718, 2011. (61 refs.)

Teen dating violence is a serious public health concern with numerous and long-lasting consequences. Although alcohol and drug use have been associated with dating violence, little is known about the role of specific substances, especially the use of club drugs and the nonmedical use of prescription drugs. Thus, the authors examined the association between dating violence victimization and the use of a variety of licit and illicit substances among 1,565 ethnically diverse and economically disadvantaged high school students in southeast Texas. Past year dating violence victimization was reported by 14.1% of boys and 11.3% of girls. Compared to their nonabused counterparts, youth who experienced dating violence were more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, binge drink alcohol, sniff glue to get high, use marijuana, use ecstasy, use Vicodin, and use Xanax. However, with the exception of alcohol and cigarettes, all substances were reduced to nonsignificance in multivariate analyses. No differences were found in the rate of dating violence between African American, White, and Hispanic adolescents.

Topper LR; Castellanos-Ryan N; Mackie C; Conrod PJ. Adolescent bullying, victimisation and alcohol-related problem behaviour mediated by coping drinking motives over a 12 month period. Addictive Behaviors 36(1-2): 6-13, 2011. (36 refs.)

Background: Despite the adverse externalising risks associated with bullying victimisation no study has investigated the underlying mechanisms of adolescent victims engagement with alcohol. This current study investigated the development of risky coping drinking motives as a mediator in the relationship between adolescent school victimisation and alcohol related problem behaviour, using a longitudinal design over 12 months. Method: We recruited 324 participants aged 13 to 15 from schools across London, England. Participants were surveyed during class time at 2 time points baseline and 12 months. At both time points participants answered questions related to bullying, victimisation, alcohol-related problem behaviour, drinking motives and the quantity by frequency of alcohol consumption. Results: The relationships between victimisation, drinking and drinking motives were investigated using Pearson correlations. Path analysis showed that victimisation leads both directly and indirectly through coping motives to alcohol-related problems, rather than to the quantity and frequency of alcohol use. Significance of mediation was tested using 5000 bias corrected and accelerated bootstrapped intervals. Baseline victimisation was significantly correlated with baseline alcohol related problem behaviour and predictive of future problems at 12 months. Drinking to cope at 12 months partially mediated the relationship between baseline victimisation and alcohol-related problems at 12 months. Conclusions: Results show that victims of bullying are drinking alcohol in a risky style partly due to the development of self-medicating drinking behaviour. Victims of bullying could therefore benefit from coping skills interventions targeting negative affect regulation in order to reduce the risk for future alcohol misuse.

Ulibarri MD; Strathdee SA; Ulloa EC; Lozada R; Fraga MA; Magis-Rodriguez C et al. Injection drug use as a mediator between client-perpetrated abuse and HIV status among female sex workers in two Mexico-US border cities. AIDS and Behavior 15(1): 179-185, 2011. (42 refs.)

We examined relationships between client-perpetrated emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, injection drug use, and HIV-serostatus among 924 female sex workers (FSWs) in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, two large Mexico-US border cities. We hypothesized that FSWs' injection drug use would mediate the relationship between client-perpetrated abuse and HIV-seropositivity. The prevalence of client-perpetrated emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in the past 6 months was 26, 18, and 10% respectively; prevalence of current injection drug use and HIV was 12 and 6%, respectively. Logistic regression analyses revealed that client-perpetrated sexual abuse was significantly associated with HIV-seropositivity and injection drug use, and that injection drug use was positively associated with HIV-seropositivity. Injection drug use partially mediated the relationship between client-perpetrated sexual abuse and HIV-seropositivity. Results suggest the need to address client-perpetrated violence and injection drug use when assessing HIV risk among FSWs.

Volavka J; Swanson J. Violent behavior in mental illness: The role of substance abuse. (editorial). Journal of the American Medical Association 304(5): 563-564, 2010. (10 refs.)

Walton MA; Chermack ST; Shope JT; Bingham CR; Zimmerman MA; Blow FC; Cunningham RM. Effects of a brief intervention for reducing violence and alcohol misuse among adolescents: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association 304(5): 527-535, 2010. (39 refs.)

Context: Emergency department (ED) visits present an opportunity to deliver brief interventions to reduce violence and alcohol misuse among urban adolescents at risk of future injury. Objective To determine the efficacy of brief interventions addressing violence and alcohol use among adolescents presenting to an urban ED. Design, Setting, and Participants: Between September 2006 and September 2009, 3338 patients aged 14 to 18 years presenting to a level I ED in Flint, Michigan, between 12 PM and 11 PM 7 days a week completed a computerized survey (43.5% male; 55.9% African American). Adolescents reporting past-year alcohol use and aggression were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (SafERteens). Intervention: All patients underwent a computerized baseline assessment and were randomized to a control group that received a brochure (n = 235) or a 35-minute brief intervention delivered by either a computer (n = 237) or therapist (n = 254) in the ED, with follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months. Combining motivational interviewing with skills training, the brief intervention for violence and alcohol included review of goals, tailored feedback, decisional balance exercise, role plays, and referrals. Main Outcome Measures: Self-report measures included peer aggression and violence, violence consequences, alcohol use, binge drinking, and alcohol consequences. Results: About 25% (n = 829) of screened patients had positive results for both alcohol and violence; 726 were randomized. Compared with controls, participants in the therapist intervention showed self-reported reductions in the occurrence of peer aggression (therapist, -34.3%; control, -16.4%; relative risk [RR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.90), experience of peer violence (therapist, -10.4%; control, +4.7%; RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.52-0.95), and violence consequences (therapist, -30.4%; control, -13.0%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.64-0.90) at 3 months. At 6 months, participants in the therapist intervention showed self-reported reductions in alcohol consequences (therapist, -32.2%; control, -17.7%; odds ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.34-0.91) compared with controls; participants in the computer intervention also showed self-reported reductions in alcohol consequences (computer, -29.1%; control, -17.7%; odds ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34-0.95). Conclusion: Among adolescents identified in the ED with self-reported alcohol use and aggression, a brief intervention resulted in a decrease in the prevalence of self-reported aggression and alcohol consequences.

Wood DS. Alcohol controls and violence in Nunavut: A comparison of wet and dry communities. International Journal of Circumpolar Health 70(1): 19-28, 2011. (32 refs.)

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine if communities in Nunavut that prohibit the importation of alcoholic beverages have less violence relative to communities that allow alcohol importation. Study design. A retrospective cross-sectional study based on community-level records of violent crimes known to the police. Methods. Violence was measured using community-level records of homicide, assault and sexual assault as reported to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 23 communities in Nunavut for the years 1986 to 2006. Crude-rate comparisons were made between wet communities (which allow alcohol importation) and dry communities (which prohibit alcohol importation) and contrasted with national rates for context. Results. Wet communities in Nunavut recorded rates of violent crime that were higher than the rates recorded by dry communities. Relative to dry communities, wet communities' overall sexual assault rate was 1.48 (95% CI=1.38-1.60) times higher, the serious assault rate was 2.10 (95% CI=1.88-2.35) times higher and the homicide rate was 2.88 (95% CI=1.18-8.84) times higher. Although safer than wet communities, dry communities reported rates of violence that were higher than national rates including a serious assault rate that was double the national rate (3.25 per 1,000 vs. 1.44 per 1,000) and a sexual assault rate that was at least seven times as high as the national rate (7.58 per 1,000 vs. 0.88 per 1,000). Conclusions. As elsewhere in the Arctic, communities in Nunavut that prohibited alcohol were less violent than those that allowed alcohol importation. Even with prohibition, dry communities recorded rates of violence much greater than the national average.

Wu E; El-Bassel N; Gilbert L; Sarfo B; Seewald R. Criminal justice involvement and service need among men on methadone who have perpetrated intimate partner violence. Journal of Criminal Justice 38(4): 835-840, 2010. (41 refs.)

Perpetrators of male-to-female intimate partner violence (IPV) may be likely to have multiple service needs, the extent of which may vary with respect to criminal justice involvement. The salience of the criminal justice system and the potential impact on service needs due to arrest and incarceration is underscored given the association between substance use and IPV. This study utilized a sample of men in methadone treatment who perpetrated male-to-female IPV in order to examine associations between criminal justice involvement and perceived additional service need(s). Results indicate that the likelihood of having service needs significantly increased as time since most recent arrest or incarceration decreased. These findings highlight the need and potential benefit that can be derived from greater coordination amongst the criminal justice, IPV prevention, and drug treatment systems and service providers.

Yee NYL; Large MM; Kemp RI; Nielssen OB. Severe non-lethal violence during psychotic illness. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 45(6): 466- 472, 2011. (46 refs.)

Background: Research about violence in psychosis has mainly considered homicide by people with mental disorder, especially schizophrenia, and violence in groups of psychiatric patients. In this study we examine the characteristics of a sample of offenders with psychotic illness who committed severe non-lethal violent offences. Method: A review of court documents from a consecutive series of cases involving violence resulting in significant injury concluded in the District Court of New South Wales, Australia, in the years 2006 and 2007. Results: Of 661 people found to have committed a severe violent offence, 74 (11%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 9-14%) had a diagnosed psychotic illness. Of these, 16 (22%, 95% CI 12-31%) had never received treatment with antipsychotic medication and could be regarded as being in the first episode of psychosis. Offenders with psychosis were typically non-adherent to treatment, had co-morbid substance use and prior criminal convictions. Positive symptoms of psychotic illness such as hallucinations and delusional beliefs were reported to be present at the time of the offence in most of the cases. Seven of 74 (10%) psychotic offenders were found not guilty on the grounds of mental illness. Conclusions: People with psychotic illness are over-represented among those who commit violent offences resulting in significant injury, confirming the presence of an association between psychosis and severe non-lethal violence. Earlier treatment of first episode psychosis, improving the adherence to treatment of known patients and treatment of co-morbid substance abuse could reduce the incidence of severe violence committed by patients with psychosis.

Zavala E; Spohn RE. Emotional abuse and controlling behaviors in heterosexual relationships: The role of employment and alcohol use for women and their partners. Sociological Spectrum 30(5): 526-549, 2010. (63 refs.)

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of economic resources, status compatibility, and alcohol consumption on forms of nonphysical abuse, such as controlling and emotional abuse. Specifically, we focus on the connections between women's employment, the employment of their partners, alcohol use, and women's risk of abuse in intimate relationships. We hypothesize that women in intimate relationships with men will experience more emotional abuse to the extent that they are economically vulnerable. Moreover, abuse should increase if their employment status, in relation to that of their partner, challenges the man's marital power. Moreover, alcohol use by women and/or their partners is also predicted to be associated with emotional abuse. We find some support for assertions that socioeconomic deprivation, as well as challenges to men's masculinity, is associated with emotionally abusive male partners. However, the prevalence and amount of alcohol use by the male partner stands out as the most consistent predictor of emotional abuse in heterosexual relationships.

Zinzow HM; Resnick HS; McCauley JL; Amstadter AB; Ruggiero KJ; Kilpatrick DG. The role of rape tactics in risk for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression: Results from a national sample of college women. Depression and Anxiety 27(8): 708-715, 2010. (32 refs.)

Background: College women are at high risk for substance-involved rape. However, most studies have focused on forcible rape and have not differentiated these tactics from tactics that involve drug or alcohol intoxication. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of lifetime exposure to forcible rape (FR), incapacitated rape (IR), and drug alcohol facilitated rape (DAFR) tactics on risk for PTSD and depression. A secondary purpose was to examine the role of different incident characteristics, including relationship to the perpetrator, fear, injury, force, memory, and acknowledgement. Methods: A national sample of 2,000 college women completed structured telephone interviews assessing demographics, psychiatric diagnoses, and rape experiences. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analyses including demographic variables, multiple rape history, and rape tactics indicated that all three tactics were associated with increased risk for PTSD and depression. Correlational analyses revealed that rape tactics differed in relation to incident characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that only physical injury was positively associated with depression and no characteristics were related to PTSD. Conclusions: The strong association between IR/DAFR and psychiatric diagnoses suggests that the definition of rape experiences be expanded to include substance-involved tactics. Differing incident characteristics imply that IR/DAFR experiences are associated with different pathways to psychiatric symptoms in comparison to FR experiences.