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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
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