Associations between partner violence and specific substance use and mental health issues in a nationally representative sample

Although the association between problem drinking and interpersonal aggression is well established, research exploring the risks associated with other drugs and mental health disorders is less expansive. The objective of this work was to estimate the prevalence of interpersonal aggression and identify factors associated with an increased likelihood of aggression. Data was analyzed from wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC, 2004-2005), a nationally representative sample of 34,653 adults. Logistic models controlled for age, race/ethnicity and education, and accounted for the complex survey design. Perpetration of partner violence was reported in 3.34% of males and 5.72% of females, while 4.74% of males and 4.10% of females reported being victims of partner violence. Both male and female perpetration were associated with major depression (OR's=1.56, 1.67 for males and females respectively) and problem drinking (OR's=1.06, 1.03), while male perpetration was associated with cocaine use (OR=1.49) and female perpetration with non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) (OR=1.89) and marijuana use (OR=1.41). Both male and female victimization were associated with major depression (OR's=2.37, 1.97 for males and females respectively), problem drinking symptoms (OR's=1.05, 1.05), marijuana use (OR's=1.41, 1.73) and NMUPD (OR's=1.67, 1.61). Female victimization was also associated with antisocial personality disorder (OR=1.94). This work found that cocaine use, marijuana use, NMUPD, problem drinking, antisocial personality disorder and major depression were all linked to interpersonal aggression in a nationally representative sample. Further understanding of the relationships between these co-morbidities is important for their prevention and treatment.