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Depression Among Couples in the United States in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence

NCJ Number
237843
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 25 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2010 Pages: 771-790
Author(s)
Patrice A. C. Vaeth; Suhasini Ramisetty-Mikler; Raul Caetano
Date Published
May 2010
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the relationship between intimate partner violence and depression.
Abstract
A multicluster random household sample of U.S. couples was interviewed as part of a 5-year national longitudinal study (response rate = 72 percent). Depression was assessed with the CES-D. The multivariate analyses for men showed that the odds of depression did not vary significantly by type of male-to-female (MF) or female-to-male (FM) aggression. Men who engaged in infrequent binge drinking, compared to those who never binged, were less likely to be depressed, as were men with greater collective efficacy. For women, the multivariate analysis, showed that FM aggression (psychological: minor and severe, and physical) was associated with a greater likelihood of depression. Exposure to parental violence was also associated with depression. Women may experience depression as the result of psychological and physical aggression even if they are the perpetrators of such aggression. (Published Abstract)