The association between partner and non-partner aggression and suicidal ideation in patients seeking substance use disorder treatment (original) (raw)

Partner aggression among men and women in substance use disorder treatment: Correlates of psychological and physical aggression and injury

Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2008

This study examined intimate partner aggression in a sample of 489 participants enrolled in substance use disorder treatment, and expands on prior research by including measures of various forms of aggression, a mixed gender sample (76% men, 24% women), and measurement of several potential risk domains. Aggression measures included both participant-partner and partner-to-participant psychological aggression, physical aggression and injury. Analyses focused on the role of distal and proximal risk factors, including demographics, history of childhood physical and sexual abuse, and family history of problems with alcohol, drugs and depression, as well as recent substance use and symptoms of depression. Overall rates of participant-partner psychological aggression (77%), physical aggression (54%) and injuring partners (33%) were high, as were rates of partner-to-participant psychological aggression (73%), physical aggression (51%), and injury (33%). Several distal (family history variables, physical abuse) and proximal factors (binge drinking, several different drugs, depressive symptoms) were bivariately related to most of the aggression measures. However, according to multivariate analyses predicting aggression and injury measures, binge drinking and cocaine use were the drugs significantly associated with most measures, depression symptoms also were related to most aggression and injury measures, and a history of reported childhood physical abuse was related to all frequency of aggression and injury measures among those reporting such behaviors. Overall, the high rates of aggression among both men and women observed in this study further illustrate the need for interventions targeting substance use and aggression, and for further research regarding the interrelationships among substance, aggression and depressive symptoms.

Distal and proximal factors associated with aggression towards partners and non-partners among patients in substance abuse treatment

2014

Studies of violence in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment settings typically focus on partner aggression (PA) although non-partner aggression (NPA) is also a common problem. This study examines potentially distinct paths of distal and proximal risk factors related to aggression towards non-partners (NPA) and partners (PA) among a SUD treatment sample. The sample included 176 adults reporting past-year violence. Bivariate analyses indicated several distal and proximal factors were associated with NPA and PA. According to multivariate, multiple mediation analyses youth aggression history was a factor for both NPA and PA. Alcohol and cocaine use and psychological distress were associated with NPA; marijuana use was associated with PA. There also was evidence of indirect effects of distal factors on NPA and PA. The results suggest that there may be substantially different dynamics associated with NPA and PA, and have implications for developing screening, assessment and treatment protocols targeting violence among individuals in SUD treatment.

The relationship of aggression to suicidal behavior in depressed patients with a history of alcoholism

Addictive Behaviors, 2005

Background: Alcoholism and depression are often comorbid. Studies suggest that depressed subjects with alcoholism have more chronic impairment and suicidal behavior than individuals with either diagnosis alone. The reason for higher rate of suicide and suicide attempts in comorbid subjects is uncertain. We explored clinical characteristics that may be associated with this increased suicidality. Methods: In all, 219 depressed subjects (n=62 males and n=157 females) without a history of any alcohol or substance use disorder and 129 (n=49 males and n=80 females) depressed individuals with a prior history of alcohol use disorder participated in the study. Demographic and clinical parameters were assessed and recorded. Results: Depressed subjects with a history of alcoholism had higher lifetime aggression and impulsivity, and were more likely to report a history of childhood abuse, suicide attempts, and tobacco smoking. Depressed suicide ideators with a history of alcoholism had higher suicide ideation scores than depressed suicide ideators without a history of alcoholism. Subjects with a history of alcoholism were younger at the time of the first depressive episode and first hospitalization than those without a history of alcoholism. Logistic regression analysis indicated that alcoholism was significantly associated with smoking and aggression. Suicidal behavior and higher suicidal ideation in depressed subjects with a history of alcoholism might be attributed to higher aggression scores in this group. 0306-4603/$ -see front matter D Conclusion: The greater frequency of suicidal behavior and severity of suicidal ideation in major depression with comorbid alcoholism appears related to associated aggressive traits. Alcoholism, aggression, smoking, and suicide may have a common biological causal substrate. D

Non-fatal suicidal behaviour in women--the role of spousal substance abuse and marital violence

South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde, 2001

To investigate the precipitants of non-fatal suicidal behaviour in women using a gender-based comparison. A retrospective analysis of case records. Data were analysed using chi-square tests of significance. One hundred men and 100 women admitted for non-fatal suicidal behaviour at a general hospital. Subjects' biographical details and self reports of precipitating factors such as marital conflict, spousal extramarital affairs, alcohol abuse and marital violence. Significantly more married women than men cited spousal extramarital affairs, spousal alcohol abuse and marital violence as precipitants of their self-destructive behaviours. The findings emphasise the role of spousal behaviour and resultant stress in precipitating non-fatal suicidal behaviour in women. Preventive efforts must focus on the psychological, social and economic empowerment of women.

The association between violence and lifetime suicidal thoughts and behaviors in individuals treated for substance use disorders

Addictive Behaviors, 2010

Objective: The present study examined the association between lifetime violent behavior and suicidal thoughts and attempts in a national sample of patients seeking substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Method: A large national sample of adults entering substance use disorder treatment (N = 6,233) was examined. After describing the correlates of prior suicidal thoughts and attempt(s) in this sample, we examined the association between self-report of lifetime violence and suicidal ideation, a single prior attempt and multiple prior attempts in patients seeking SUD treatment. Results: In bivariate analyses, individuals with prior violence were more likely to report suicidal ideation, single and multiple suicide attempts than those without prior violence. These associations remained significant after controlling for demographic factors, symptoms of depression, and childhood victimization. In examinations of specific types of violence, more extreme forms of violence (i.e., murder, rape) were most strongly associated with risk of multiple suicide attempts. Conclusions: Prior violence is consistently associated with greater risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in patients seeking SUD treatment. Treatment providers should be aware that those patients with some of the greatest violence in their past are also those at elevated risk for harm to themselves.

Correlates of intimate partner psychological aggression perpetration in a clinical sample of alcoholic men

Journal of Family Psychology, 2012

This study longitudinally examined correlates of intimate partner psychological aggression in a sample of 178 men seeking treatment for alcoholism and their partners, building on a previous investigation examining correlates of intimate partner physical aggression . The men were largely Caucasian; average age was 41.0 years. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires that assessed distal and proximal predictors of psychological aggression perpetration. Distal factors, assessed at baseline, included initial alcohol problem severity, beliefs about alcohol, and antisocial personality characteristics. Proximal factors, assessed at baseline and at follow-ups 6 and 12 months later, included alcohol and drug use, relationship adjustment, and anger. Psychological aggression was assessed at all three time points. Findings showed that both groups of variables were associated with psychological aggression perpetration. Beliefs that drinking causes relationship problems and variables related to alcohol consumption exhibited the strongest associations with psychological aggression. The findings are consistent with theoretical models that emphasize both distal and proximal effects of drinking on intimate partner aggression. Implications for clinical interventions and directions for future research are discussed.

Predictors of expressed partner and non-partner violence among patients in substance abuse treatment

Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2000

This study examined reports of expressed partner and non-partner violence among men (n= 126) and women (n= 126) in the 12 months prior to substance abuse treatment. Rates of violence were 57% for partner, 53% for non-partner, and 75% collapsing across partner and non-partner relationships. Factors associated with partner and non-partner violence severity differed substantially. Partner violence was predicted by age, marital status, and drug problem severity. Non-partner violence was predicted by gender, income, alcohol and drug problem severity. The results highlight that individuals in substance abuse treatment are at high risk for violence, and targeted screening and intervention approaches should be routine in addictions treatment.

Suicidality and trait aggression related to childhood victimization in patients with alcoholism

Psychiatry Research, 2009

The relationship between physical abuse in childhood and suicide attempts in adulthood has long been known. However, the phenomenon has not been examined in patients who are undergoing treatment for alcoholism. In this study we seek an answer to the questions of whether exposure to physical abuse in childhood predisposes to violence, which in turn increases the likelihood of suicidal behavior in adulthood. The sample studied comprised 172 patients with alcohol dependence and with data for childhood physical abuse, trait aggression and lifetime suicide attempts. The measuring instruments used for the investigation were the European Addiction Severity Index, the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire and the Janus Questionnaire. Generalized Linear Model analysis revealed a significant gender-dependent association between physical abuse by the parents suffered in childhood and later suicide attempts. In females, childhood victimization by parents increased the likelihood of suicide attempts by approximately 15 times; in males, the increase was about twofold. Association of suicide attempts with the overall level of trait aggression also significantly interacted with gender. In females, the increase in the level of total scores of the trait aggression from 0 to 50 points (approximately the mean level in the study population) elevated the likelihood of the suicide attempts by almost ninefold, whereas the analogous increase in males was about threefold. The results draw attention to the importance of preventing suicide in clinical populations of alcohol-dependent patients.