Children, Parental Alcohol Consumption, and Intimate Partner Violence: A Multicountry Analysis by Perpetration Versus Victimization and Sex
Abstract
Introduction
Both living with children and alcohol consumption are positively associated with intimate partner violence (IPV). This study assessed their combined relationship with physical IPV (P-IPV) victimization and perpetration, and explored possible moderating roles of sex and culture.
Method
Data included 15 surveys of 13,716 men and 17,832 women in 14 countries from the GENACIS (Gender, Alcohol, and Culture: An International Study) collaboration. P-IPV was measured as victim of physical aggression by an intimate partner (Vic-Only), perpetrator of physical aggression toward a partner (Perp-Only), or both victim and perpetrator (i.e., bidirectional) (Bi-Dir). Participants reported whether they lived with children below 18 years of age, whether the participant used alcohol/abstained, and, among those who used alcohol, usual frequency and quantity of alcohol consumed.
Results
Multilevel multinomial logistic regression, controlling for age and nesting of data within countries, indicated that Vic-Only, Perp-Only, and Bi-Dir (compared with no P-IPV) were positively associated with living with children, using alcohol, and quantity/frequency of alcohol use among users (especially higher quantity). The positive association of P-IPV with living with children and using alcohol was evident within most countries. Significant interactions with sex were found, with (a) living with children more strongly associated with Perp-Only for men and Vic-Only for women, and (b) Perp-Only and Bi-Dir more strongly associated with using alcohol for men but with quantity consumed for women. Also, alcohol consumption was more strongly related to Perp-Only and Bi-Dir than with Vic-Only.
Conclusion
In conclusion, higher risk of P-IPV with alcohol consumption is compounded when living with children—putting children who live with those who use alcohol, especially who who consume large amounts of alcohol per occasion, at special risk of exposure to P-IPV. This is an important area for future research and prevention.
