Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Male Batterers’ Alcohol Use and Gambling Behavior

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Gambling Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Little work has examined the interrelations among intimate partner violence (IPV), alcohol use, and gambling behavior, and no studies have examined these relationships among males court-ordered to batterer intervention programs (BIPs). The aim of the current investigation was to explore the associations between IPV, alcohol use, and gambling behavior among 341 males court-mandated to attend BIPs utilizing self-report measures. Voluntary, anonymous questionnaires were administered and completed during regularly scheduled BIP sessions. Compared to the general population, a higher percentage of the sample met criteria for pathological gambling (9%), and problem gambling (17%). Further, males exhibiting pathological gambling were more likely to be hazardous drinkers, and hazardous drinkers were more likely to exhibit pathological gambling. Additionally, pathological gamblers were at an increased risk for the perpetration of both physical and sexual aggression. Finally, gambling behavior uniquely predicted the perpetration of sexual aggression above and beyond alcohol use, impulsivity, and relationship satisfaction. The implications of these results for future research and intervention are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Although drug use was not a primary focus of the present study, we did administer the Drug Use Identification Test (Stuart et al. 2003, 2004). The DUDIT, which parallels the AUDIT, is a screening measure for drug problems. The DUDIT was entered into the first model along with the EIQ, SMAT, and AUDIT, and into the second model along with the EIQ, SMAT, AUDIT, and SOGS to examine whether, with the inclusion of the DUDIT, the SOGS would be associated with sexual aggression. Findings revealed that even after including the DUDIT, the SOGS remained significantly associated with sexual aggression. Thus, including the DUDIT in the model did not substantially change the primary results presented here.

References

  • Abbott, M., & McKenna, B. (2005). Gambling and problem gambling among recently sentenced women in New Zealand prisons. Journal of Gambling Studies, 21, 559–581.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Afifi, T., Brownridge, D., MacMillan, H., & Sareen, J. (2009). The relationship of gambling to intimate partner violence and child maltreatment in a nationally representative sample. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 44, 331–337.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • APA (Ed.). (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (IV-TR ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Assocation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babcock, J., Green, C., & Robie, C. (2004). Does batterers’ treatment work? A meta-analytic review of domestic violence treatment. Clinical Psychology Review, 23, 1023–1053.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Balci, Y., & Ayranci, U. (2005). Physical violence against women: Evaluation of women assaulted by spouses. Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine, 12, 258–263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, G., Welte, J., Hoffman, J., & Dintcheff, B. (1999). Gambling and alcohol use among youth: Influences of demographic, socialization, and individual factors. Addictive Behaviors, 24, 749–767.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bechara, A. (2003). Risky business: Emotion, decision-making, and addiction. Journal of Gambling Studies, 19, 23–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caetano, R., Ramisetty-Mikler, S., & Harris, T. (2008). Drinking, alcohol problems, and intimate partner violence among white and hispanic couples in the US: Longitudinal associations. Journal of Family Violence, 23, 37–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chambers, R., & Potenza, M. (2003). Neurodevelopment, impulsivity, and adolescent gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 19, 53–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coker, A., Davis, K., Arias, I., Desai, A., Sanderson, M., Brandt, H., et al. (2002). Physical and mental health effects of intimate partner violence for men and women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 23, 260–268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, J., & Schlenger, W. (1988). Acute and chronic effects of alcohol use on violence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 49, 516–521.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cunradi, C., Todd, M., & Duke, M. (2009). Problem drinking, unemployment, and intimate partner violence among a sample of construction industry workers and their partners. Journal of Family Violence, 24, 63–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, S., & McGurk, B. (1980). Impulsiveness and venturesomenewss in a detention center population. Psychological Reports, 47, 1299–1306.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, S., Pearson, P., Easting, G., & Allsopp, J. (1985). Age norms for impulsiveness, venturesomeness, and empathy in adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 6, 613–619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fals-Stewart, W. (2003). The occurrence of partner physical aggression on days of alcohol consumption: A longitudinal diary study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 41–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Follingstad, D. (2009). The impact of psychological aggression on women’s mental health and behavior: The status of the field. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, 10, 271–289.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foran, H., & O’Leary, K. (2008). Alcohol and intimate partner violence: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 28, 1222–1234.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gayford, J. (1975). Wife battering: A preliminary survey of 100 cases. British Medical Journal, 1, 194–197.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giacopassi, D., & Stitt, B. (1993). Assessing the impact of casino gambling on crime in Mississippi. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 18, 118–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, A., Walton, M., Cunningham, R., Resko, S., & Duan, L. (2009). Correlates of gambling among young in an inner-city emergency department. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 23, 113–121.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, J., Kushner, M., & Kim, S. (2002). Pathological gambling and alcohol use disorder. Alcohol Research and Health, 26, 143–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heyman, R., O’Leary, K., & Jouriles, E. (1995). Alcohol and aggressive personality styles: Potentiators of serious phsyical aggression against wives? Journal of Family Psychology, 9, 44–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LaBrie, R., Shaffer, H., LaPlante, D., & Wechsler, H. (2003). Correlates of college student gambling in the United States. Journal of American College Health, 52, 53–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J. (2010). Controversies involving gender and intimate partner violence in the United States. Sex Roles, 62, 179–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leonard, K., & Roberts, L. (1998). The effects of alcohol on marital interactions of aggressive and nonaggressive husbands and their wives. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 107, 602–615.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leonard, K., & Senchack, M. (1996). The prospective prediction of husband marital aggression among newlywed couples. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 105, 369–380.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H., & Blume, S. (1987). The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): A new instrument for the identification of pathological gamblers. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 1184–1188.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Locke, H., & Wallace, K. (1959). Short marital adjustment and prediction tests: Their reliability and validity. Marriage and Family Living, 21, 251–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muelleman, R., DenOtter, T., Wadman, M., Tran, T., & Anderson, J. (2002). Problem gambling in the partner of the emergency department patient as a risk factor for intimate partner violence. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 23, 307–312.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, C., & O’Leary, K. (1989). Psychological aggression predicts physical aggression in early marriage. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 579–582.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nagoshi, C., Walter, D., Munataner, C., & Haertzen, C. (1992). Validity of the tridimensional personality questionnaire in a sample of male drug users. Personality and Individual Differences, 4, 401–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nower, L., Derevensky, J., & Gupta, R. (2004). The relationship of impulsivity, sensation seeking, coping, and substance use in youth gamblers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 18, 49–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Potenza, M., Fiellin, D., Heninger, G., Rounsaville, B., & Mazure, C. (2002). Gambling: An addictive behavior with health and primary care implications. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 17, 721–732.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Quigley, B., & Leonard, K. (2000). Alcohol and the continuation of early marital aggression. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 24, 1003–1010.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, D. (1981). The effect of alcohol on male aggression toward female targets. Motivation and Emotion, 5, 333–343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ro, E., & Lawrence, E. (2007). Comparing three measures of psychological aggression: Psychometric properties and differentiation from negative communication. Journal of Family Violence, 22, 575–586.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, J., Aasland, O., Amundsen, A., & Grant, M. (1993a). Alcohol consumption and related problems among primary health care patients: WHO Collaborative Project on Early Detection of Persons with Harmful Alcohol Consumption: I. Addiction, 88, 349–362.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, J., Aasland, O., Babor, T., De La Fuenta, J., & Grant, M. (1993b). Development of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): WHO collaborative project on early detection of persons with hamrful alcohol consumption-II. Addiction, 88, 791–804.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schafer, J., Caetano, R., & Cunradi, C. (2004). A path model of risk factors for intimate partner violence among couples in the United States. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19, 127–142.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Serras, A., Saules, K., Cranford, J., & Eisenberg, D. (2010). Self-injury, substance use, and associated risk factors in a multi-campus probability sample of college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 24, 119–128.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, H., & Hall, M. (2001). Updating and refining prevalence estimates of disordered gambling behavior in the United States and Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 92, 168–172.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slutske, W., Eisen, S., True, W., Lyons, M., Goldberg, J., & Tsuang, M. (2000). Common genetic vulnerability for pathological gambling and alcohol dependence in men. Archives of General Psychiatry, 57, 666–673.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spainer, G. (1976). Measuring dyadic adjustment: New scales for assessing the quality of marriage adn similar dyads. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 38, 15–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, S., Zack, M., Collins, P., & Klein, R. (2008). Subtyping pathological gamblers on the basis of affective motivations for gambling: Relations to gambling problems, drinking problems, and affective motivations for drinking. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 22, 257–268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stinchfield, R. (2000). Gambling and correlates of gambling among Minnesota public school students. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16, 153–173.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stith, S., Smith, D., Penn, C., Ward, D., & Tritt, D. (2004). Intimate partner physical abuse perpetration and victimization risk factors: A meta-analytic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 10, 65–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M., Hamby, S., Boney-McCoy, S., & Sugarman, D. (1996). The revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2): Development and preliminary psychometric data. Journal of Family Issues, 17, 283–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, G. (2005). Improving violence intervention outcomes by integrating alcohol treatment. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20, 388–393.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, G., & Holtzwroth-Munroe, A. (2005). Testing a theoretical model of the relationship between impulsivity, mediating variables, and marital violence. Journal of Family Violence, 20, 291–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, G., Moore, R., Kahler, C., & Ramsey, S. (2003). Substance abuse and relationship violence among men court-referred to batterers’ intervention programs. Addictive Behaviors, 28, 1603–1610.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, G., Moore, R., Ramsey, S., & Kahler, C. (2004). Hazardous drinking and relationship violence perpetration and victimization in women arrested for domestic violence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 65, 46–53.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, G., Meehan, J., Moore, T., Morean, M., Hellmuth, J., & Follansbee, K. (2006). Examining a conceptual framework of intimate partner violence in men and women arrested for domestic violence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 67, 102–112.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, G., Temple, J., & Moore, T. (2007). Improving batterer intervention programs through theory-based research. Journal of the American Medical Association, 298, 560–562.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, G., Temple, J., Follansbee, K., Bucossi, M., Hellmuth, J., & Moore, T. (2008). The role of drug use in a conceptual model of intimate partner violence in men and women arrested for domestic violence. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 22, 12–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, G., O’Farrell, T., Leonard, K., Moore, T., Temple, J., Ramsey, S., et al. (2009a). Examining the interface between substance misuse and intimate partner violence. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 3, 25–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, G., O’Farrell, T., & Temple, J. (2009b). Review of the association between treatment for substance misuse and reductions in intimate partner violence. Substance Use and Misuse, 44, 1298–1317.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Temple, J., Weston, R., Stuart, G., & Marshall, L. (2008). The longitudinal associaiton between alcohol use and intimate partner violence among ethnically diverse community women. Addictive Behaviors, 33, 1244–1248.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tjaden, P., & Thoennes, N. (2000). Extent, nature, and consequences of intimate partner violence: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. Retrieved September 9, 2003, from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nih/victdocs.htm#2000.

  • Volberg, R., & Steadman, H. (1988). Refining prevalence estimates of pathological gambling. American Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 502–505.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Welte, J., Barnes, G., Wieczorek, W., Tidwell, M., & Parker, J. (2001). Alcohol and gambling pathology among US adults: Prevalence, demographic patterns and comorbidity. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 62, 706–712.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Welte, J., Barnes, G., Wieczorek, W., Tidwell, M., & Park, A. (2004). Risk factors for pathological gambling. Addictive Behaviors, 29, 323–335.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zlotnick, C., Johnson, D., & Kohn, R. (2006). Intimate partner violence and long-term psychological functioning in a national sample of American women. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21, 262–275.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The University of Tennessee, 204 Austin Peay Building, Knoxville, TN, USA

    Hope Brasfield, Jeniimarie Febres, Ryan Shorey & Gregory L. Stuart

  2. Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

    David Strong, Andrew Ninnemann, Joanna Elmquist, Shawna M. Andersen, Meggan Bucossi & Yael C. Schonbrun

  3. University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

    Jeff R. Temple

Authors
  1. Hope Brasfield
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jeniimarie Febres
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ryan Shorey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David Strong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Andrew Ninnemann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Joanna Elmquist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Shawna M. Andersen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Meggan Bucossi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Yael C. Schonbrun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Jeff R. Temple
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Gregory L. Stuart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hope Brasfield.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Brasfield, H., Febres, J., Shorey, R. et al. Male Batterers’ Alcohol Use and Gambling Behavior. J Gambl Stud 28, 77–88 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-011-9246-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-011-9246-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation