Advancing Couple and Family Alcohol Treatment Through Patient-Oriented Research and Mentorship
Medical University of South Carolina
Summary
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem that results in significant health and economic burdens including mortality, morbidity, and poor treatment outcomes. A well-developed field of research suggests that alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to IPV. Individuals with PTSD and/or problematic drinking behaviors are at risk for IPV because of several factors that are common symptoms of PTSD. Because individuals with PTSD often drink alcohol to "self-medicate" or cope with distressing PTSD symptoms, PTSD co-occurs with alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder at extraordinarily high rates. However, few studies have examined the combined effects of alcohol misuse and PTSD on any form of violence. This study will examine the effects of alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on alcohol-related intimate partner violence (IPV). We will examine these associations among couples (N=70) in a controlled laboratory setting using validated, standardized methods in a 'real-world' settings using 28 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA).
Description
Alcohol misuse has a salient precipitous effect on intimate partner violence (IPV), which is a persistent public health crisis affecting approximately one-third of the U.S. population. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly prevalent, has a clear causal effect on alcohol misuse, and it is a robust independent predictor of IPV. However, few studies have examined the combined effects of PTSD and alcohol misuse on IPV. This question is critical to address because effective prevention and treatment approaches for alcohol-related IPV are scant. Integrating these two siloed areas of the lite…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion criteria 1. Any gender identity; any race or ethnicity; ages 21 years or older. 2. Must report ≥ 2 heavy drinking episodes in the past 30 days (i.e., 4 or more drinks for women, 5 or more for men in ≤ 2 hours) and consumed a quantity of alcohol that is equal to or greater than the standard dose administered for their weight in the laboratory (assessed via the TLFB). 3. At least one instance of physical IPV in the current relationship reported by at least one partner within the couple (assessed by the CTS-2). 4. Participants must agree not to drive or operate machinery for the remain…
Interventions
- OtherAlcohol Administration
Participants will complete an alcohol administration paradigm (peak breath alcohol concentration=.09-.10 g/dL BrAC)
Location
- Medical University of South CarolinaCharleston, South Carolina