Risk factors for alcohol problems in victims of partner violence

Despite the high prevalence of alcohol-related problems and disorders among women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV), factors related to current alcohol use are understudied. We examined current risk factors for alcohol-related problems among 143 substance-using, IPV-exposed women recruited from an urban community from 2007 to 2010. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity was associated with alcohol-related problems and a positive alcohol screen; physical IPV severity was related to alcohol dependence. Post hoc analyses revealed that PTSD symptom severity mediated relationships between physical IPV severity and hazardous, harmful, and dependent drinking. Focusing on managing PTSD symptoms and physical IPV in community-based interventions may halt the progression from alcohol use to dependence