Women Arrested for Partner Violence and Substance Use: An Exploration of Discrepancies in the Literature

• NCJ Number: 237067
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 23 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2008 Pages: 707-727
• Author(s): Catherine A. Simmons; Peter Lehmann; Norman Cobb
• Date Published: June 2008
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This research examined substance problems within groups of women arrested for intimate partner violence (IPV).

Abstract

Discrepancies exist in research examining substance problems within groups of women arrested for intimate partner violence (IPV). In some studies women IPV arrestees have been found to be at high risk for substance-related problems, whereas in others they are found to be at low risk for substance-related problems. The current study explores these discrepancies then compares a sample of women court ordered to a domestic violence diversion program (n = 78) to a matched sample of men (n = 78) in the same program using police report information, self-report measures, the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory-3, and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III alcohol and drug subscales. Women IPV arrestees had a low occurrence of substance use during the arresting incident, a low incidence of substance-related diagnoses, and fewer substance-related problems than did men IPV arrestees. However, women demonstrated personality structures susceptible to nondiagnosable, hazardous drinking patterns. (Published Abstract)