Intimate Partner Violence and Substance Use Among Hawai‘i Youth: An Analysis of Recent Data From the Hawai‘i Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Abstract

Objective: This study explored the relationship between adolescent substance use and intimate partner violence (IPV). Method: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the statewide Hawai‘i Youth Risk Behavior Survey data for the years 2005, 2007, and 2009. Public school students (n = 4,364) attending medium to large school districts in Hawai‘i participated. Prevalence estimates and regression models of covariates were calculated. Results: Results indicated that IPV victimization and substance use are prevalent among Hawai‘i youth. Odds ratio calculations indicated that substance use (specifically multiple drug use) is associated with an increased likelihood of reporting IPV victimization. Conclusions: Curricula and programming to prevent drug use among Hawai‘i youth must incorporate IPV prevention, and vice versa.

RESUMEN

Objetivo. Este estudio ha investigado la relación entre el uso de drogas entre los adolescentes y violencia en relaciones íntimas de pareja.

Métodos. Un análisis de datos secundarios fue completado usando los datos de el statewide Hawai‘i Youth Risk Behavior Survey de los anos de 2005, 2007, y 2009. Alumnos de escuelas publicas (n = 4,364) enrollados en distritos escolares medianas y grandes participaron. Prevalance estimates y regression models of covariates fueron calculadas.

Resultados. Resultados indican la que violencia en relaciones íntimas de pareja y el uso de drogas son prevalentes con los adolescentes en Hawai‘i. Odds ratio calculations indican que el uso de drogas (específicamente el uso de varias drogas) esta asociado con el aumento de probabilidad de declarar victimización.

Conclusión. Planes de estudios y programas para prevenir el uso de drogas deben incluir prevención de violencia en relaciones íntimas de pareja, y viceversa.

Keywords :

• adolescent intimate partner violence
• teen dating violence
• youth drug use
• substance abuse

THE AUTHORS

Rebecca Zaha is an Epidemiologist at the Dartmouth College, Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. Her research includes maternal and child health issues, particularly related to intimate partner violence. She was a CDC Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Fellow in Hawai‘i, where she focused on using population data for health decision making in various communities.

Susana Helm, Ph.D., is a Community and Culture Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry, John A. Burns School of Medicine, and Co-operating Faculty in the Department of Psychology, both at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Susana's research and practice interests include youth prevention in the areas of substance use and dating violence, as well as youth and family wellness in school and community contexts. Rural and indigenous issues are highlighted in qualitative and mixed methods designs, and favor community based and participatory action research approaches.

Charlene K. Baker, Ph.D., is an associate professor of community psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Her research interests include working in collaboration with communities to develop and evaluate culturally grounded prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing the prevalence and impact of violence on individuals, families, and communities.

Dr. Donald Hayes is an Epidemiologist in the Family Health Services Division at the Hawai‘i Department of Health. Dr. Hayes brings an innovative perspective that reflects his diverse background and training. Some of his research interests include social determinants of health and disparities, adolescent risk behaviors and long-term health, and relationships between chronic disease and reproductive health. Dr. Hayes is a strong advocate for promoting use of data and for training young professionals. Dr. Hayes mentors, and serves on multiple dissertation committees and is adjunct faculty at the University of Hawai‘i Office of Public Health Studies and the John A. Burns School of Medicine.

Notes

2 The reader is reminded that the concepts of “risk factors,” as well as “protective factors,” are often noted in the literature, without adequately noting their dimensions (linear, nonlinear; rates of development; anchoring or integration, cessation, etc.), their “demands,” the critical necessary conditions (endogenously as well as exogenously; from a micro to a meso to a macro level), which are necessary for either of them to operate (begin, continue, become anchored and integrate, change as de facto realities change, cease, etc.) or not to and whether their underpinnings are theory-driven, empirically based, individual and/or systemic stakeholder-bound, based upon “principles of faith,” historical observation, precedents, and traditions that accumulate over time, perceptual and judgmental constraints, “transient public opinion,” or what. This is necessary to consider and to clarify if these terms are not to remain as yet additional shibboleth in a field of many stereotypes, tradition-driven activities, “principles of faith,” and stakeholder objectives. Editor's note.