Publication year
2014
Citation Title
Intimate partner violence between male Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their female partners who seek couples therapy
Journal Name
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Journal Volume
31
Issue Number
6
Page Numbers
1095-1115
DOI
10.1177/0886260514564067
Summary
An examination of intimate partner violence and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 100 Veteran couples that included both partners' reports was conducted. More specifically, the study investigated gender differences, and agreement in couples'reports of male-to-female and female-to-male intimate partner violence; the pattern of violence reported by the Veteran couples (e.g., one-sided, mutual) and the frequency; and whether frequency of violence or pattern of violence were associated with Veterans' diagnosis of PTSD.
Key Findings
Male participants reported perpetrating more frequent sexual coercion, and female participants reported perpetrating more frequent physical aggression.
Three patterns of violence were identified by male and female participants: verbally aggressive (n = 45), one-sided physically aggressive (n = 27), and mutually physically aggressive (n = 26).
Frequency and pattern of violence were not associated with Veterans’ diagnosis of PTSD.
Implications for Program Leaders
Provide workshops for professionals working with Service members and their families to learn more about intimate partner violence and its effects on the individual as well as their family
Engage Service members and their intimate partners in classes that aim to increase communication and decrease physical or verbal aggression
Disseminate information regarding possible warning signs of intimate partner violence to professionals working with Service members and their families
Implications for Policy Makers
Promote the development of structured workshops for Service members and their partners on healthy relationships
Encourage awareness among military professionals working with Service members and their partners on the importance of developing programming and support for couples education
Recommend collaboration between Department of Defense programs and local community organizations to support treatment programs for Service member intimate partner violence offenders and their partners
Methods
Participants were recruited through the Family Mental Health Program, an outpatient family therapy clinic in a mid-Western Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Prior to the therapy session couples filled out several questionnaires which included the Conflict Tactics Scale and demographic information, as well as noting whether or not they had a PSTD diagnosis.
Analysis used quantitative methods to determine if there were any differences in type of violence by gender.
Participants
Participants were 100 heterosexual couples seeking relationship therapy between August 2004 and June 2012 at the Family Mental Health Program.
Male Veterans in the study had deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan and were in a committed relationship with a cohabiting female partner.
Nine percent of Veterans and their partners were Black, 2% were Latino, 4% were Native American, and 3% of Veterans and 6% of partners indicated they were of other races.
Limitations
The participant sample was drawn from one location in the United States; therefore, the findings may not be applicable to other regions or contexts.
Participants in the study were only involved in two conflicts, other conflicts may have induced different patterns or types of violence.
Only the male participants in the study had been involved in combat-related trauma, the results might differ for female Service members who had experienced trauma.
Avenues for Future Research
Evaluate how treatment programs for male and female Service members intimate partner violence offenders may differ in their approach
Investigate what both the short and long term effects are on Service members’ children who witness partner violence in their homes
Explore the long-term health consequences of experiencing intimate partner violence, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and involvement in health risk behaviors like alcohol use
Focus
Navy
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
The current study has three aims: (1) to describe the frequency, gender differences, and agreement in couples’ reports of male-to-female and female-to-male intimate partner violence (IPV) reported by male veterans and their female partners who were seeking couples therapy; (2) to describe the pattern of violence reported by these couples (e.g., one-sided, mutual) and determine if frequency of violence varied based on patterns; and (3) to examine whether frequency of violence or pattern of violence were associated with veteran diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One hundred heterosexual couples (male Iraq/Afghanistan veteran, female civilian) seeking couples therapy at a Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic completed self-report measures of violence in their relationship. Almost all couples reported verbal aggression. Men reported perpetrating more frequent sexual coercion, and women reported perpetrating more frequent physical aggression. Correspondence in partners’ reports of violence varied based on type of violence from high correspondence on verbal aggression to low correspondence on sexual coercion. Three patterns of violence were identified: verbally aggressive (n = 45), one-sided physically aggressive (n = 27), and mutually physically aggressive (n = 26). Mutually physically aggressive couples generally reported the most frequent violence. Frequency and pattern of violence were not associated with veteran diagnosis of PTSD. Findings underscore the need for clinicians to assess both partners for violence perpetration and the need for effective prevention strategies and treatments for IPV among veterans.
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