Coping and violence perpetration in a residential substance use disorder treatment sample

ABSTRACT

Background: Individuals in substance use disorder treatment report high rates of violence against partners and non-partners. There is growing interest in integrated coping-oriented treatment approaches for violence and substance use concerns, yet little is known about the relationship between specific coping responses and perpetration of partner and non-partner violence. Objective: This cross-sectional study evaluated relationships between coping responses and partner and non-partner physical assault perpetration in a substance use disorder treatment sample. Methods: Participants included 343 men (76%) and women (24%) who completed self-report survey measures of coping responses, violence perpetration, and substance use as part of screening for a randomized trial. Negative binomial regression was used to examine relationships between coping strategies and partner and non-partner violence perpetration, when accounting for substance use and demographic factors. Results: About one-third of participants reported partner violence perpetration (30%) and non-partner violence perpetration (34%). Frequency of partner violence and non-partner violence were both associated with more use of avoidant and emotion-focused strategies and less use of problem-focused coping in adjusted models. Discussion: Continued research is warranted to determine whether coping-oriented interventions decrease violence among people in substance use disorder treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Partner violence
• non-partner violence
• physical assault
• drug use
• alcohol use

Additional information

Funding

During her work on this manuscript Dr. Bonar was supported by a training grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Use and Alcoholism (NIAAA 007477) and a career development award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA 036008).