The Role of Alcohol Policies in Preventing Intimate Partner Violence: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Objective-This article summarizes existing research on the relationship between alcohol policies and intimate partner violence (IPV). Because alcohol represents an important risk factor for IPV, interventions and policies aimed at decreasing problem drinking may also lead to reductions in IPV.Method-Electronic databases were searched to identify relevant peer-reviewed journal articles on alcohol policies and IPV, as well as reference sections of appropriate articles. Only policies that have been studied specifically for impact on IPV were included.Results-Three alcohol policy areas (outlet density, hours and days of sale, pricing/taxation) had been studied in relation to IPV outcomes. Research on outlet density had the most consistent findings, with most studies indicating that higher densities of alcohol outlets are associated with higher rates of IPV. Fewer studies had been conducted on pricing policies and policies restricting hours/days of sale, with most studies suggesting no impact on IPV rates.Conclusions-Higher density of alcohol outlets appears to be associated with greater rates of IPV. However, there is limited evidence suggesting that alcohol pricing policies and restrictions on hours/days of sale are associated with IPV outcomes. Knowledge about the impact of alcoholrelated policies on IPV and violence in general is limited by several significant research gaps. Additional research is needed to assess the impact of alcohol policies on IPV and other forms of violence.Approximately 80,000 deaths each year in the United States are directly or indirectly attributable to alcohol consumption, with global deaths attributable to alcohol estimated at 3.8% (CDC, 2008;Rehm et al., 2009). In 2006, the economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption (due to health care, productivity losses, and criminal justice costs, etc.) were estimated at $223.5 billion (Bouchery et al., 2011). To protect the health and safety of all citizens, the U.S. has identified reduction of alcohol misuse as a major component of their public health agenda for 2020 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). The World Health Association has also formally adopted a global strategy to reduce harmful alcohol use, due to the resultant health and economic burden worldwide (World Health Corresponding Author: Megan Kearns, Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control, 4770 Buford Highway NE, MS F-64, Atlanta, GA 30341, Phone: 770-488-1230, wti8@cdc.gov. The findings and conclusions in this review are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HHS Public Access Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript Author ManuscriptOrganization, 2010). Many alcohol-related policies and programs have been implemented at the state and local level to improve public health (Truman et al., 2000). By examining the public health impact of alcohol-related policies, researchers and policy makers can more readily assess the value of implementing the...

Do alcohol pricing and availability policies have differential effects on sub-populations? A commentary

“…Two reviews focused on intimate partner violence (IPV) (Kearns, Reidy, & Valle, 2015;Wilson, Graham, & Taft, 2014) came to somewhat divergent conclusions. Wilson et al (2014) focused on the period between January 1992 and March 2013.…”

“…For studies on pricing, hours of sale, and outlet density there was weak evidence of impact on IPV. Kearns et al (2015) examined 18 studies published between 1998 and 2013. They concluded that most studies of higher alcohol outlet density showed an association with higher IPV.…”

Living the cycle of drinking and violence: A qualitative study of women's experience of alcohol‐related intimate partner violence

“…Accordingly, addressing problematic alcohol use is recognised by WHO as a way to reduce IPV [3]. However, recent reviews found only weak evidence of the effectiveness of alcohol policies and interventions on IPV, with few studies of good quality to provide meaningful conclusions [6,7]. These reviews highlighted the need to know more about the dynamics of how alcohol contributes to violence, in order to design effective approaches.…”

Is Major Depression Linked to Alcohol-Impaired Driving?

“…Alcohol-impaired driving—driving after consuming a sufficient amount of alcohol to potentially affect driver performance—is a major cause of accidents (Room, Babor, & Rehm, 2005; Kearns, Reidy, & Valle, 2015; Williams, 2006). Major depression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder among persons who drive while impaired (DWI), and many of its symptoms are associated with DWI(Freeman, Maxwell, & Davey, 2011; Laphamet al, 2001; Lapham, Baca, McMillan, & Lapidus, 2006; Stoduto et al, 2008; Conner, Pinquart, & Gamble, 2009; Sarsour et al, 2012).…”