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Published in: Journal of Family Violence 8/2012

01-11-2012 | ORIGINAL ARTICLE

The Prevalence of Mental Health Problems in Men Arrested for Domestic Violence

Authors: Ryan C. Shorey, Jeniimarie Febres, Hope Brasfield, Gregory L. Stuart

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 8/2012

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Abstract

The problem of male perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV) is widespread. In an effort to identify risk factors for perpetrating IPV, researchers have examined mental health problems among perpetrators. However, the majority of research in this area has examined personality psychopathology and/or limited their investigation to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. Thus, the present study examined self-reported Axis I psychopathology among men arrested for domestic violence (N = 308). Results replicated past research showing high rates of PTSD and depression. In addition, the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social phobia, and alcohol and drug disorders were very high. All types of mental health problems were positively associated with aggression perpetration. Males meeting probable diagnostic classification reported significantly more frequent aggression than males not meeting diagnostic classification, even after controlling for social desirability. Directions for future research and implications of these findings are discussed.
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Metadata
Title
The Prevalence of Mental Health Problems in Men Arrested for Domestic Violence
Authors
Ryan C. Shorey
Jeniimarie Febres
Hope Brasfield
Gregory L. Stuart
Publication date
01-11-2012
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Family Violence / Issue 8/2012
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-012-9463-z

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