Alcohol, gender, aggression and violence: findings from the Birmingham Untreated Heavy Drinkers Project

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between heavy drinking and aggression using quantitative and qualitative data from a Department of Health funded interview study of untreated heavy drinkers living in the largely urban English West Midlands region (n = 403). Interviews consisted of a combination of forced choice questions and semi‐structured discussion. Quantitative data showed high levels of verbal aggression, serious arguments and fights. Significant associations were found between alcohol‐related aggression, lower age, number of very heavy drinking days and lower socio‐economic status. Thematic analysis of qualitative data showed that participants considered alcohol to be heavily implicated in aggressive behaviour, but differences exist between quantitative and qualitative findings in terms of the importance of gender. Participants associated aggression with masculinity and youth, but violence involving women and domestic violence were rarely discussed.

• Alcohol
• aggression
• gender

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the many participants who gave up their time to take part in this research. We would also like to thank Christine Godfrey of York University, for her contribution to the analysis of cost data, and Christine Griffin, for valuable comments on an earlier draft of this paper. Thanks also go to Sandra Cleaver and Julie O'Connell for their valuable secretarial support during the project. Finally, we would like to extend our gratitude to the Department of Health for their financial support and to all members of the Project Steering Committee.

Notes

1. Present address: Psychology Department, Massey University, New Zealand.Present address: Psychology Department, Massey University, New Zealand.

2. Present address: Clinical Psychology, 29 Park Row, University of Bristol Campus, Bristol, UKPresent address: Clinical Psychology, 29 Park Row, University of Bristol Campus, Bristol, UK

3. Present address: Academic Division of Clinical Psychology, 2nd Floor, Education and Research Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK.Present address: Academic Division of Clinical Psychology, 2nd Floor, Education and Research Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK.

4. Present address: Birmingham Learning Disabilities Service, St Stephens Centre, 171 Nineveh Road, Handsworth, Birmingham B21 0SY, UK.Present address: Birmingham Learning Disabilities Service, St Stephens Centre, 171 Nineveh Road, Handsworth, Birmingham B21 0SY, UK.

5. Present address: South Birmingham Division Psychology Service, 208 Monyhull Hall Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, UK.Present address: South Birmingham Division Psychology Service, 208 Monyhull Hall Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, UK.

1. The term ‘lippy’ is used to describe a mild form of verbal aggression (one that is less severe than being argumentative). The term had been used by a number of participants in the first wave of interviews in 1997. It was therefore employed in interviews as it was considered the most appropriate way in which this type of verbal aggression could be conveyed to participants.

2. These included topics not reported on in this paper, such as health service usage, work and alcohol, life changes and social exclusion.

3. In order to protect anonymity, participants are referred to by a number (PXXX), rather than by name. Information is given on approximate age and gender, since these may be relevant to the participants' perspectives on alcohol and aggression.

4. ‘P’ = the participant.

5. The youngest participants in 1999 were 27 years old and the oldest were 57 years old.

6. This analysis was based on predominant drinking company in the week before interview. It was based on the 385 participants who had consumed alcohol during the last week.

7. Includes single friend, family members and work colleagues