Alcohol and Domestic Violence: A Cross-Over Study in Residences of Individuals in Brazil

• NCJ Number: 236523
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 26 Issue: 6 Dated: August 2011 Pages: 465-471
• Author(s): Taís de Campos Moreira; Maristela Ferigolo; Simone Fernandes; Xenia Barros; Claudia G. Mazoni; Ana Regina Noto; José Carlos Fernandes Galduróz; Helena M. T. Barros
• Date Published: 2011
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated the psychological or physical violence associated with the use of alcohol, and also described the social characteristics of aggressors and victims.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate psychological or physical violence associated with the use of alcohol, in residences of individuals in Brazil and, also describe the social characteristics of aggressors and victims. Therefore, this study expects to contribute to studies in Brazil that seek to clarify the relations between alcohol and violence in residences. A total of 454 respondents, 12-65 years old, were assessed, they were sorted by the Kish method, and the residences randomly. The SAMHSA questionnaire was utilized after translated and adapted to Brazilian conditions. Twenty six percent of the individuals reported psychological violence, and 16 percent reported physical violence. The study's main results set the differences in the reports for physical violence (OR 7, 95 percent CI: 4-13) and psychological violence (OR 5, 95 percent CI: 3-8) in residences where someone arrived or became intoxicated with alcohol (P less than 0.05). Fifty percent of the aggressors were under the effects of alcohol, and 77 percent of the victims were relatives of their aggressors. Acts of violence are not necessarily associated with alcohol consumption. Men and women reported acts of domestic violence; psychological violence was the most prevalent form. Men are currently the primary aggressors, while women are primarily the victims. (Published Abstract)