Emotional Distress, Alcohol Use, and Bidirectional Partner Violence Among Lesbian Women. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lewis, Robin J.; Padilla, Miguel A.; Milletich, Robert J.; Kelley, Michelle L.; Winstead, Barbara A.; Lau-Barraco, Cathy; Mason, Tyler B.
• Other Names: Freeman Robert guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 21:Number 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 917
• Page End: 938
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: lesbian -- alcohol use -- bidirectional violence -- IPV -- distress -- partner violence; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/1077801215589375
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between emotional distress (defined as depression, brooding, and negative affect), alcohol outcomes, and bidirectional intimate partner violence among lesbian women. Results lend support to the self-medication hypothesis, which predicts that lesbian women who experience more emotional distress are more likely to drink to cope, and in turn report more alcohol use, problem drinking, and alcohol-related problems. These alcohol outcomes were, in turn, associated with bidirectional partner violence (BPV). These results offer preliminary evidence that, similar to findings for heterosexual women, emotional distress, alcohol use, and particularly, alcohol-related problems are risk factors for BPV among lesbian women.