NCJ Number
208602
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2001 Pages: 54-72
Date Published
January 2001
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study explored the significance of alcohol abuse as a predictive factor in wife assault cases in Canada.
Abstract
Domestic violence research commonly links alcohol abuse with violence. Unfortunately, researchers may have an incomplete understanding of the role of alcohol abuse in wife assault cases because estimates of the prevalence of alcohol abuse in cases of wife assault vary widely. The current study drew on data from a nationally representative survey on violence against women conducted in Canada in 1993 in order to explore the importance of alcohol abuse as a predictive factor in wide assault. Respondents for the current study were a subgroup of 7,707 women who were either married or in common-law relationships at the time of the survey. Respondents answered questions regarding their experiences of violence in their homes. Results of statistical analyses indicated that heavy alcohol abuse predicts violence against wives. This finding remained after controlling for the effects of class, age, and type of relationship. However, after controlling for proxy measures of attitudes about the appropriateness of male degradation and control of women, alcohol abuse as predictive factor in wife assault became insignificant. These findings suggest that domestic violence intervention programs that focus on alcohol treatment as a means of reducing violence may be misguided. Future research should focus on the importance of male employment as a predictor of wife assault. Tables, figure, notes, references