Estimates and predictors of alcohol-related harm to intimate partners in Australia An analysis of a nationally representative survey

  • Amany Tanyos Centre for Alcohol Policy Research (CAPR), La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaTrobe
  • Jason (Heng) Jiang Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Public Health, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
  • Rebecca Jenkinson Australian Human Rights Commission, Melbourne, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
  • Anne-Marie Laslett Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.497
Keywords: Alcohol, intimate partner violence, physical abuse, verbal abuse, prevalence

Abstract

Aims:  This study explores the prevalence and predictors reported in 2019 by men and women of alcohol-related intimate partner violence (ARIPV), that is, verbal abuse, physical abuse, and being put in fear by intimate partners, when partners were under the influence of alcohol.

Methods: Secondary data analysis of the 2019 Australia’s cross-sectional National Drug Strategy Household Survey included 22,015 respondents aged 14 years or older (9,804 men, and 12,211 women). The prevalence of ARIPV and each type of ARIPV (verbal abuse, physical abuse, and being put in fear) in the past year is described, and the predictors of all are analysed using chi-square tests and logistic regressions, overall and separately for men and women.

Results: An estimated 3.4% of the Australian adult population (4.7% women, 2.1% men) reported ARIPV in 2019. The prevalence of ARIPV was higher among the participants who were women, middle-aged (35-44 years), had a certificate or diploma, were less advantaged, were divorced, separated, or widowed, single with dependents, living in more regional, and remote areas, and undertook heavy episodic drinking (HED) weekly or less often. Age, marital status, household composition, and weekly, monthly, or ever HED predicted ARIPV for women, while higher education levels and weekly or monthly HED were significant for men.

Discussion and conclusions: Women were twice as likely to report intimate partner violence (IPV) from their male partner when they were under the influence of alcohol, as were men. The findings underline that interventions are needed to address IPV from intoxicated partners.

Published
2024-05-21
How to Cite
Tanyos, A., Jiang, J. (Heng), Jenkinson, R., & Laslett, A.-M. (2024). Estimates and predictors of alcohol-related harm to intimate partners in Australia An analysis of a nationally representative survey. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 12(1), 21-32. https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.497
Issue
Vol. 12 No. 1 (2024)
Section
Article

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