THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILDHOOD VIOLENCE AND ALCOHOL-PROBLEMS AMONG MEN WHO BATTER - AN EMPIRICAL REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS

The available literature indicates that: (a) experiences of childhood violence are associated with mediator variables, including antisocial behaviors and depressive symptomatology, that are themselves associate d with development of alcohol problems and perpetration of partner vio lence for men in adulthood; (b) experiences of childhood violence and, more strongly, observation of interparental violence during childhood predict perpetration of partner violence in adulthood for males; (c) presence of partner violence is associated with certain types of alcoh ol problems for men; and (d) both partner violence and alcohol problem s are associated with marital conflict. However available research has often excluded important moderator variables, such as history of fami lial and parental alcohol problems and history of parental psychiatric disorders. Based on the available research, two indirect pathways bet ween childhood violence and adulthood problems (Le., alcohol problems and partner violence) are proposed as guides for future research in th e areas of family violence and alcohol problems for men. Further; bidi rectional associations between alcohol problems and partner violence a re proposed. Finally, inclusion of important moderator and mediator va riables in multivariate research designs is suggested. Copyright (C) 1 996 Elsevier Science Ltd