Reductions in Marital Violence Following Treatment for Alcohol Dependence

• NCJ Number: 222233
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 18 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2003 Pages: 1113-1131
• Author(s): Gregory L. Stuart; Susan E. Ramsey; Todd M. Moore; Christopher W. Kahler; Lyette E. Farrell; Patricia Ryan Recupero; Richard A. Brown
• Date Published: October 2003
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): K23AA13231-01; AA10958-01A1
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study evaluated the effectiveness and impact of a standard, individually based, partial hospitalization treatment for alcohol dependence on marital violence, psychological abuse, and marital satisfaction among male alcoholic patients and partners.

Abstract

The results revealed that the prevalence and frequency of husband-to-wife marital violence and frequency of psychological abuse decreased significantly following substance abuse treatment. Men reported no significant changes in their marital satisfaction. Results also showed significant decreases in wife-to-husband violence. Female partners reported a significant increase in marital satisfaction. The study suggests that marital violence perpetrated by male patients and their partners declined following the males’ substance abuse treatment. Despite a strong association between substance abuse, marital violence, and marital adjustment, the extent to which treatment for substance abuse problems decreases marital violence and psychological abuse and increases marital adjustment is unknown. The impact of an intensive, individually based, partial hospitalization treatment for alcohol dependence on alcohol use, marital violence, psychological abuse, and marital satisfaction among 24 heterosexual male patients and their partners was assessed. Tables, references