7 - (IOP 17) Examining the Effect of Trait Anger, Heavy Episodic Drinking, and Discordant Alcohol Use on Sexual-intimate Partner Violence Victimization Among High-risk Couples

Background: Sexual-intimate partner violence (S-IPV) refers to sexual violence and coercion that takes place within the context of a romantic relationship and includes a spectrum of behaviors ranging from verbal pressure to using physical force to obtain sex. While trait anger (TA) has been extensively studied in relation to S-IPV perpetration, few studies have examined TA as a predictor of S-IPV victimization, wherein it is possible that negative emotional displays such as anger may be met with hostility from perpetrators. Further, while alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking (HED) are risk factors for S-IPV victimization, few studies have examined if discordant alcohol use among partners may predict S-IPV victimization. Therefore, the present study examines the confluence of TA, HED, and discordant alcohol use as risk factors for S-IPV victimization among high-risk couples.

Methods: A high-risk community sample of 935 couples (N = 1,870) with at least one partner in the dyad reporting HED twice or more per month within the past year; and 2) perpetration of either physical or psychological IPV toward their current partner within the past year, participated in the present study.

Results: Analyses examining total and minor-type S-IPV victimization (i.e., verbal pressure to obtain sex) revealed that TA and frequency of HED predicted victimization; additionally, analyses examining severe S-IPV (i.e., using force or threats to obtain sex) revealed that discordant alcohol use (p = .003) and the interaction term between TA and discordant alcohol use (p < .001) both significantly predicted victimization. Further, the effect of TA on severe S-IPV victimization was only significant when there was moderate (p = .007) to high (p < .001) discordant alcohol use among couples.

Conclusions: Findings indicate that TA among S-IPV survivors may be an underemphasized risk factor for S-IPV victimization. Results from this study also indicate that risk factors for S-IPV victimization vary by type, wherein discordant alcohol use among couples may be an important risk factor for severe S-IPV victimization. These findings underscore the importance of adapting cognitive and behavioral therapies to consider both individual and couple-level risk factors to increase the effectiveness and generalizability of S-IPV prevention efforts across diverse relational contexts.