No abstract

This study examined rates and correlates of intimate partner and general aggression perpetration among 236 male combat veterans seeking services in a VA PTSD clinic. Approximately 33% of those in an intimate relationship reported perpetrating partner physical aggression in the previous year, and 91% reported partner psychological aggression. Comparable rates were found for general aggression perpetration among partnered and non-partnered veterans. PTSD symptoms as well as symptoms of depression were associated with aggression across subgroups and forms of aggression, and PTSD symptoms reflecting arousal and lack of control were generally the strongest predictor of aggression. Findings indicate a need for additional aggression screening and intervention development for this population, and highlight the targeting of heightened arousal and lack of behavioral control in aggression interventions.

There is a dearth of empirical literature characterizing the various forms of trauma experienced by men court mandated to intervention for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. We investigated the potentially traumatic events (PTEs) experienced by men (N = 217) court mandated to enroll in a 41-week group IPV perpetrator program, as well as the relationships between PTEs, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and IPV. Findings indicated that 94% of participants reported experiencing at least 1 PTE in their lifetime, and participants experienced an average of over 6 out of 14 types of PTEs. A significant association was found between the number of PTEs experienced and frequency of self-reported perpetration of physical and psychological IPV. PTSD symptoms were also related to both forms of IPV perpetration and mediated the relationship between experiencing PTEs and psychological IPV perpetration. Our findings have implications for understanding how trauma and PTSD symptoms may increase risk for IPV and for developing trauma-informed interventions for this population.