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Objective: To test whether internalized heterosexism, a form of minority stress, heightens the effect of hazardous or harmful alcohol use on frequency of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among sexual minority and same-sex-attracted men. Method: We recruited participants online via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Inclusion criteria were adult cisgender men living in the United States who identified as a sexual minority (i.e., gay, bisexual) or who endorsed being sexually attracted to men and who reported a male partner in the preceding year. Participants (N = 198) completed self-report questionnaires measuring sexual orientation and attraction, internalized heterosexism, IPV perpetration (sexual, physical, and psychological), and hazardous or harmful alcohol use. Results: Hazardous or harmful alcohol use and internalized heterosexism were associated with frequency of IPV perpetration. Internalized heterosexism moderated the effect of hazardous or harmful alcohol use on IPV perpetration, such that greater hazardous or harmful alcohol use and higher levels of internalized heterosexism were associated with the greatest rates of IPV perpetration. Results were consistent for each type of IPV (sexual, physical, and psychological). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the association between high levels of internalized heterosexism, magnified by the presence of hazardous or harmful alcohol use, and physical, sexual, and psychological IPV. Alleviating internalized heterosexism is a potential target for decreasing IPV in this at-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the prevalence and negative outcomes associated with simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use (i.e., marijuana [SAM] use, i.e., so that the effects of both alcohol and cannabis overlap) among college students, there is no comprehensive measure of SAM use, with past research relying on single items. The present study aimed to develop the Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS), a comprehensive self-report measure of SAM use frequency, quantity, and problems in college students. College students at two Midwestern universities who used alcohol and cannabis (Study 1: N = 534; Mean age = 19; 71% female; 88% White; Study 2: N = 258; Mean age = 21; 81% female; 85% White) completed the newly developed ACSUS. Exploratory factor analysis (Study 1) revealed that the ACSUS fits best with 9-items representing two factors: Factor 1 measures frequency and quantity of SAM use and Factor 2 measures associated problems with SAM use. Confirmatory factor analysis (Study 2) supported the two-factor structure of the ACSUS, which was positively associated with measures of alcohol use, cannabis use, simultaneous use motives, and impulsivity. These data provide initial support for the ACSUS, developed to investigate the frequency, quantity, and associated problems with SAM use in college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) is high, with young adults at increased risk. IPV is largely understood as a dyadic process, as it involves both partners and is inherently influenced by the behaviors of both partners. The objective of this study was to examine the proximal influence of relationship satisfaction and conflict on same-day and next-day IPV perpetration among young-adult couples. Method: This study used data from young-adult couples (N = 172) who completed a 60-day daily diary design. The actor–partner interdependence model was used to examine whether within- and between-person levels of relationship satisfaction and conflict were associated with same-day and next-day IPV perpetration. Results: Results suggest that high levels of one's own and one's partner's relationship satisfaction was associated with low levels of same-day and next-day psychological IPV. For women, but not men, high levels in their own and their partner's relationship satisfaction were associated with low levels in same-day physical IPV perpetration. Conversely, high levels in one's own and their partner's conflict was associated with high levels of same-day psychological IPV perpetration. For women, but not men, high levels in their partner's conflict were associated with high levels of same-day physical IPV perpetration. Conclusion: Results suggest that relationship dissatisfaction and conflict may be proximal risk factors for IPV perpetration, particularly psychological IPV perpetration, implying these factors may be effective targets for prevention and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and other sexual minority (LGBQ+) young adults report similar or higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration than their heterosexual peers. Elevated IPV risk among LGBQ+ young adults may be attributable to experiencing heterosexist discrimination and internalized homophobia. In addition, LGBQ+ people report disproportionate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, alcohol use, and IPV perpetration in dating relationships. Thus, this study explored which combinations of IPV risk factors (i.e., experiencing heterosexist discrimination, internalized homophobia, PTSD symptoms, alcohol use) related to forms of IPV perpetration, inclusive of psychological, physical, and sexual forms, in a sample of 342 LGBQ+ young adults. Internalized homophobia was related to psychological IPV perpetration at high and medium levels of PTSD symptoms and only high levels of alcohol use. PTSD symptoms and alcohol use interacted to predict psychological IPV perpetration; and PTSD symptoms related to increased psychological IPV perpetration at high and medium, but not low, alcohol use levels. Alcohol use was positively related to physical IPV perpetration. No other risk factors or interactions were significantly related to physical or sexual IPV perpetration. Results were consistent with prior findings that linked internalized homophobia, alcohol use, and PTSD symptoms to IPV perpetration and highlight the interacting nature of these IPV perpetration risk factors. Comprehensive IPV interventions with LGBQ+ young adults should evaluate the impact of simultaneously targeting these multiple IPV risk factors considering their interacting contributions to IPV perpetration risk. More research is needed to examine the temporal relations between minority stress, PTSD symptoms, alcohol use, and IPV perpetration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol use correlates with psychological partner abuse (PA) perpetration among lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and other nonheterosexual (LGBQ+) young adults. However, less is known about the proximal association between alcohol use and psychological PA within this population, which would provide valuable information for intervention development. Informed by minority stress and alcohol-related PA theories, we evaluated whether (a) psychological PA perpetration odds increased as the number of drinks consumed prior to psychological PA on a given day increased, (b) psychological PA perpetration odds were greater following heavy episodic drinking (HED) relative to non-HED, and (c) experiencing LGBQ+-specific discrimination (i.e., heterosexist harassment, incivility, and hostility) strengthened the association between daily alcohol use (number of drinks, HED) and subsequent psychological PA perpetration. LGBQ+ college students (N = 41; 75.6% women, 22.0% men, and 2.4% transgender/non-binary) completed a baseline survey of past-year discrimination before completing daily reports of their alcohol use and psychological PA for 60 consecutive days. Multilevel modeling revealed that drinking more than one usually does on a given day is positively associated with subsequent psychological PA odds (OR = 1.31, p <.001). Psychological PA was more likely following HED relative to non-HED (OR = 3.23, p <.001). Unexpectedly, experiencing discrimination was negatively associated with psychological PA odds across models (OR =.26 p =.01). No alcohol × discrimination interactions emerged. Results support alcohol use as a proximal risk factor for psychological PA among LGBQ+ college students and underscore the need for more nuanced examination of discrimination and other contextual variables in alcohol-related PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent and serious public health problem. Alcohol use and misuse is one of the most well-known antecedents of IPV perpetration. However, minimal research examined whether alcohol use increases the risk for IPV perpetration among individuals who identify as a sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, or another non-heterosexual identity [LGB+]). This is particularly concerning given that rates of IPV and alcohol use are as high, if not higher, in LGB+ populations relative to their heterosexual peers. In this article we provide a brief review of existing alcohol-related IPV research among LGB+ populations, advance an integrated model of alcohol-related IPV perpetration among LGB+ populations, and discuss avenues for future research on this topic. Our review identified limited research on alcohol-related IPV perpetration among LGB+ populations, with no longitudinal or event level research on this topic. Incorporating tenets of minority stress models with models of alcohol-related IPV (i.e., I.sup.3 and Alcohol Myopia Theory), we propose an integrated theory of alcohol-related IPV perpetration among LGB+ populations. Based on the limited information available in the literature, our integrated theoretical model suggests several avenues for future research on alcohol-related IPV perpetration among LGB+ populations. We discuss these future areas for research and the importance of incorporating sexual minority stress frameworks into these investigations., Author(s): Ryan C. Shorey [sup.1] , Gregory L. Stuart [sup.2] , Meagan J. Brem [sup.2] , Dominic J. Parrott [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000 0001 0695 7223, grid.267468.9, Department of [...]

For this study we examined the association between relationship satisfaction and readiness-to-change alcohol use, as well as the associations between hazardous drinking and readiness-to-change relationship issues in college dating relationships. A sample of 219 college students in a current dating relationship (aged 18-25) completed self-report measures of dating relationship satisfaction, alcohol use, readiness-to-change alcohol use, and readiness-to-change relationship issues via an online survey from August to December 2011. Participants were grouped on the basis of their scores on measures of alcohol use (hazardous drinkers vs. nonhazardous drinkers) and relationship satisfaction (high vs. low). Results indicated that alcohol use was negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction. Furthermore, hazardous drinkers with high relationship satisfaction indicated more readiness-to-change alcohol use than hazardous drinkers with low relationship satisfaction. Alcohol problems were not related to readiness-to-change relationship issues. These findings indicate that highly satisfied dating relationships during college may positively influence readiness-to-change heavy drinking habits among college students.

Purpose: The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) is alarmingly high among young adults. Alcohol use and depression have both been shown to increase risk for IPV. However, little is known about whether depression and alcohol may interact to predict IPV in couples. Methods: The current study utilized a sample of 81 racially and ethnically diverse young adult couples (91.4% between the ages of 18–24) to examine alcohol use and depressive symptoms as predictors of physical, sexual, and psychological IPV perpetration. Data were analyzed following an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) framework, allowing for the examination of both actor and partner effects. Results: Results indicated that one's own alcohol use was associated with an increase in one's own psychological IPV perpetration, and one's own depressive symptoms were associated with an increase in one's own physical and psychological IPV perpetration. Although one's partner's alcohol use was associated with an increase in one's own physical IPV perpetration on average, a marginally significant statistical interaction with one's partner's depression suggested this association was moderated, such that high levels of one's partner's depressive symptoms weakened the relationship between one's partner's alcohol use and one's own physical IPV perpetration. Conclusions: Findings provide novel information on when depressive symptoms may be a risk factor for IPV in young adult couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is overrepresented among men in substance use treatment. Individuals who relapse following substance use treatment report greater IPV perpetration relative to individuals who remain remitted. In addition, distress tolerance has been shown to be an important treatment target in substance use treatment, with distress tolerance predicting relapse following treatment. However, we are unaware of any research that has examined the relationship between distress tolerance and IPV among men in substance use treatment, which may hold important treatment implications. The current study therefore examined this relationship in a sample of men in substance use treatment (N = 138). Results demonstrated that distress tolerance was negatively associated with physical and psychological IPV perpetration. After controlling for age and substance use and problems, distress tolerance remained associated with psychological, but not physical, IPV perpetration. These findings suggest that distress tolerance may be an important component of treatments for IPV, particularly for psychological aggression. Substance use treatment programs that target distress tolerance may concurrently reduce the risk for relapse to substance use and IPV perpetration., Author(s): Ryan C. Shorey [sup.1] , Catherine Strauss [sup.1] , JoAnna Elmquist [sup.2] , Scott Anderson [sup.3] , Tara L. Cornelius [sup.4] , Gregory L. Stuart [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) [...]

Clear evidence indicates that college women perpetrate physical dating violence at rates similar to or higher than men. However, programs focused on preventing physical dating violence perpetration by women are scarce. We propose that the misperception that physical perpetration is a male-dominated problem contributes to this lack of emphasis on preventing women's physical violence. We believe that failing to focus on programming that targets women's perpetration further contributes to the misperception that men are the primary perpetrators of violence and limits our prevention efforts. We suggest possible solutions to address this misperception and aid in the implementation of female-inclusive violence programming., Author(s): Ryan C. Shorey[sup.1] , Catherine V. Strauss[sup.1] , Ellen Haynes[sup.1] , Tara L. Cornelius[sup.2] , Gregory L. Stuart[sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Psychology, Ohio University, 239 Porter Hall, [...]