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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
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)