Emotional Abuse and Its Unique Ecological Correlates Among Military Personnel and Spouses

All types of abuse, including emotional abuse, can be influenced by risk factors from multiple ecological levels (e.g., family, community, workplace). The correlates of clinically significant emotional abuse were examined among Active Duty Air Force personnel and their civilian spouses via an anonymous survey. Factors associated with increased risk for experiencing abuse differed between men and women at different ecological levels, but the strongest correlates of emotional abuse were relationship dissatisfaction, poor self-efficacy, financial stress, and alcohol problems.