Intimate partner violence in United States military Veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

Abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant concern among military personnel and veterans, yet few studies have examined its prevalence and correlates in nationally representative samples of veterans. This study aimed to address this gap by identifying the prevalence of IPV and factors associated with lifetime physical IPV perpetration, expanding on prior research by including a broader range of traumatic experiences (e.g., military sexual trauma) and psychiatric variables (e.g., nicotine dependence, non-suicidal self-injury). Results revealed that, of 2376 veterans surveyed, 208 (weighted 8.4 %, 95 % confidence interval = 7.0-10.1 %) reported lifetime physical IPV perpetration. Relative to veterans without a history of physical IPV perpetration, those who reported IPV perpetration endorsed more childhood and total lifetime traumatic events and were more likely to report military sexual trauma. They were also more likely to screen positive for lifetime nicotine dependence, report past suicide attempts, and endorse higher levels of hostility. Additionally, IPV perpetrators were more likely to screen positive for current alcohol use disorder and report current passive suicidal ideation. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive screening and tailored interventions for veterans with a history of IPV, as they may face elevated risk for trauma-related mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and suicidal behaviors.

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