Alcohol dependence and domestic violence as sequelae of abuse and conduct disorder in childhood.
OBJECTIVE
To examine in the Navajo population: (1) the importance of childhood abuse as a risk factor for conduct disorder; (2) the importance of each form of abuse and conduct disorder as risk factors for alcohol dependence; and (3) the relative importance of each form of abuse, conduct disorder, and alcohol dependence as risk factors for being a perpetrator and/or victim of domestic violence.


METHODS
The study is based on a case-control design. Cases (204 men and 148 women) between the ages of 21 and 65 were interviewed in alcohol treatment program and matched to community controls. There were two groups of controls: alcohol dependent (374 men, 60 women) and nonalcohol dependent (157 men, 143 women). When adjusted for stratification by age, community of residence, and sex, the combined control groups comprise a representative sample of the Navajo male and female population 21-65 years of age.


RESULTS
The prevalence of physical and sexual abuse before age 15 is within limits observed in other populations. Each form of abuse is a risk factor for conduct disorder. Along with conduct disorder, physical abuse is a risk factor for alcohol dependence. Physical abuse and alcohol dependence are independent risk factors for being involved in domestic violence as both perpetrator and victim. There appears to have been no secular trend in the incidence of childhood abuse over the past several generations, but there is suggestive evidence that domestic violence has become more common.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical abuse is a significant risk factor for alcohol dependence as well as for domestic violence independent of the effects of alcohol abuse. The effects of sexual abuse with regard to both domestic violence and alcohol dependence do not appear to be significant.
Kunitz
S J
SJ
Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY, USA.
Levy
J E
JE
McCloskey
J
J
Gabriel
K R
KR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001130:Arizona; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D017579:Domestic Violence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009516:New Mexico; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors