The Interplay of Trait Anger, Childhood Physical Abuse, and Alcohol Consumption in Predicting Intimate Partner Aggression

Abstract

The current study examined three well-established risk factors for intimate partner aggression (IPA) within Finkel and Eckhardt’s I3 model, including two impellance factors—trait anger and childhood physical abuse history—and the disinhibiting factor of alcohol consumption. Participants were 236 male and female college students in a committed heterosexual dating relationship who completed a battery of self-report measures assessing childhood physical abuse, trait anger, alcohol consumption, and IPA perpetration. Results revealed a significant three-way interaction showing that as the disinhibition factor alcohol consumption increased, the interaction of the two impelling factors, trait anger and childhood physical abuse, became increasingly more positive. Individuals who had high levels of childhood physical abuse and alcohol consumption were at greater risk of IPA perpetration when trait anger was high. Consistent with the I3 model, these findings suggest that trait anger and a history of childhood physical abuse may increase tendencies to aggress against one’s partner, whereas alcohol consumption may reduce individuals’ abilities to manage these aggressive tendencies. The importance of interplay among these risk factors in elevating IPA risk is discussed, as are the implications for clinicians working with male and female IPA perpetrators.

Empirical investigation of a model of sexual minority specific and general risk factors for intimate partner violence among lesbian women.

“…Anger and alcohol-related problems were associated with IPV, by way of psychological aggression. Both anger and hazardous alcohol use have been implicated as risk factors for IPV in heterosexual couples (e.g., Finkel & Eckhardt, 2013; Maldonado, Watkins, & DiLillo, 2015). This is the first study to our knowledge to associate these variables with IPV among lesbian women.…”

The Anger Expression Patterns and Early Abuse Experiences in Turkish Male Sex Offenders

“…Other studies with different samples are also consistent with this hypothesis: individuals who experienced more trauma in their childhood may demonstrate anger and aggressive behavior. 3,4,13,14,60,61 In various studies, participants with history of physical, emotional and sexual abuse were found to have been increased levels of trait anger and externalized anger with lower anger control, compared to those without history of abuse. 21 Widom and Mazfield found a higher ratio of being arrested because of violent crimes in individuals with history of childhood abuse, compared to people without such a history.…”

“…12,13 Various findings in the literature suggest a relationship between abuse experiences and anger levels. 4,[14][15][16][17] Children who were exposed to domestic violence and abuse are thought to have a high risk of evolving into adults who act violently. 18 Moreover, children with abuse experiences were found to demonstrate reactions of anger and aggression frequently.…”

Animal abuse proclivity: behavioral, personality and regulatory factors associated with varying levels of severity

“…This hypothesis is supported by the finding that animal abusers and individuals who engage in antisocial behavior share a number of unique characteristics, including aggression, poor impulse control, and exposure to interpersonal violence (Ascione, ANIMAL ABUSE PROCLIVITY 6 2005;Tapia, 1971). Moreover, drug use is known to result in behavioral disinhibition, which can precipitate aggressive and violent behavior (Maldonado, Watkins, & DiLillo, 2015).…”