The co-occurrence of substance abuse and domestic violence: A comparison of dual-problem men

The purpose of this research is to examine the confluence of domestic violence and substance abuse. The present study utilized Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) to describe and compare two naturally occurring groups of dual-problem men (men with both a substance abuse problem and a problem with perpetrating domestic violence against their female partner). These groups included: (a) 49 dual-problem men in substance abuse treatment at a facility in Chicago; and (b) 84 dual-problem men adjudicated for domestic abuse in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Results indicated that though dual-problem men in the substance abuse treatment setting had a more severe substance abuse problem, both groups, on average, were equally violent. These results are consistent with prior research.;The present study also examined whether the type of psychoactive substance influenced the severity of domestic violence. A MANOVA analysis was conducted comparing 57 dual-problem men who use only alcohol with 75 who use a combination of alcohol and other drugs. Though the overall MANOVA was not significant, it was found that dual-problem men who use a combination of alcohol and other drugs were more psychologically abusive than those who reported alcohol use only. This result is not surprising given that many of the behaviors associated with substance abuse are also behaviors associated with psychological abuse. These behaviors might include economic coercion, the need to restrict the victim's contact with those outside the household and the need to blame the victim and others when the batterer experiences difficulties in life.;In the final portion of the present study, the level of substance use and alcohol abuse of all 133 eligible participants were examined in order to determine whether the alcohol abuse and the use of psychoactive substances significantly co-occurred with the severity of physical and psychological violence. Results of regression analysis showed that, as a group, the severity of alcohol abuse and frequency and quantity of substance use significantly co-occurred with the level of psychological abuse. Of the independent variables, the quantity of alcohol use made the greatest contribution.