186015 Sex differences in spouse abuse by Army soldiers

Monday, October 27, 2008

Kristen Sullivan, MSW, MA , Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Elon University, Chapel HIll, NC
J. Michael Bowling, PhD , Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Sandra L. Martin, PhD , Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Deborah A. Gibbs, MSPH , RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
Kathryn E. Moracco, PhD, MPH , UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Brenda Devellis, PhD , Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Background/Purpose: Spouse abuse is recognized as a major public health problem within military families in the U.S, and the stress of war has the potential to increase the risk of violence. This research examines differences between the types and rates of violence perpetrated by male and female soldiers, and the Army's response. Methods: Five years of data (January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2004) on substantiated cases of spouse abuse perpetrated by active duty Army soldiers from the Army Central Registry (ACR) will be examined. Perpetrators will be described according to their sociodemographic characteristics and co-occurring family violence. Annual rates of initial offense and reoffense by sex, racial/ethnic and age groups will be calculated. Regression models will be utilized to discern the relationship between sex of the perpetrator and the type and severity of violence perpetrated, as well as services provided to the perpetrator and victims. Survival analysis will be used to examine reoffense by sex. Results/Outcomes: The ACR contains data on 7,472 male perpetrators of spouse abuse and 410 female perpetrators of spouse abuse during this time period. Male perpetrators were more likely to be white, to use alcohol during the incident, and to be removed from the home than females (p<.05). Female perpetrators were more likely to be victims of spouse abuse (p<.05). Both sexes were equally likely to receive offender treatment. Further analysis is ongoing. Conclusions: Male and female spouse abuse perpetrators in the Army vary by key characteristics that can inform prevention and treatment services.

Learning Objectives:
Articulate differences by sex in initial and subsequent spouse abuse incidents perpetrated by U.S. Army soldiers. Recognize similarities and differences in the Army's response to spouse abuse perpetrators and victims by sex. Describe the annual rates of spouse abuse perpetrated by U.S. Army soldiers by sex, racial/ethnic and age groups over a five year period.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Gender

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am nearing completion of my PhD degree in Health Behavior Health Education at UNC Chapel Hill. I have extensive training and experience in domestic violence research and statistical methods.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Community Approaches and Best Practice Strategies to Family Violence Prevention
See more of: Family Violence Prevention Forum