Marital Aggression Among Veterans: Diagnosis & Assessment

University of Akron, Ulia Fisher jf46@zips.uakron.edu Central Problem

One of the foremost changes in a veterans life is adjusting back into civilian society. Tangible factors such as securing housing, employment and health insurance are the first order of business, as these had previously been provided by the military. However, little assistance extends beyond providing the basics and not much attention is focused on the emotional readjustment needed for a successful transition. Veterans, who are at risk or are committing violent acts, are falling through the cracks during the initial assessment upon deployment.

Understanding Marital Aggression Among Veterans Stress Factors Potential Relationship Stressors:
1. Increased debt is a significant factor contributing to intense male violence. 2. Intimate partner violence is two times greater when a drinking problem is present. 3. The leading ratio of intense male violence is present in families where drug use occurs among veterans this factor increases the odds of violence by 522%. 4. In households where children are present, the propensity of violence increases by 21%. 5. Among unmarried, cohabitating couples the odds of intense male violence are 254% higher (Bradley, 2007).

Job Related Stressors:

1. Violence occurs more frequently among couples where either male or female is the primary job holder. 2. If the male is the primary job holder, the violence is reduced by 26 % 3. If the female is the primary job holder, male violence increases by 33%.

Spillover Theory
Main Argument: The more any specific culture or subculture instills a set of values, such as the use of violence to achieve a goal or resolve a conflict, the more likely this set of values will be applied to other situations where the original, or instilled, value may not be socially acceptable (Bradley 2007). Military Subculture: During military basic training, soldiers experience a resocialization, or an adaptation of a new set of values and beliefs that are unique only to this subculture. One of the resocialization values happens to be that the use of force is not only acceptable, but even desirable

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

A recent research study by Michelle D. Sherman et al., reveals a clear correlation between higher rates of intense domestic violence and the PTSD diagnosis, among couples who seek therapy. Behaviorally, risk factors may manifest in: Excessive coercion by the veteran Followed by distancing by the partner. Dependencies and fears may be heightened by the partners displays of autonomy Resulting in the veteran engaging in more intense, potentially violent, coercive behavior in an attempt to regain control and connection (Sherman et al., 2006).

Risk Factors
Risk domain Dispositional Historical Risk factors for intimate partner/domestic violence Younger age Past violent behavior Combat exposure (atrocities and perceived threat) Chaotic family life growing up Maltreatment/abuse as a child Meets criteria for PTSD Severe PTSD symptoms Substance abuse Depression Personality disorder Financial status (unemployment) Marital/relationship problems Higher levels of stress Shorter/newer marriages Children in the home

Clinical

Contextual

Evidence-based diagnostic tool

Understanding the risk factors, allows clinicians to more precisely assess a veterans psychological state and whether the risk for violence is higher or lower in certain situations. Elbogen et al. thinking LookAdjustExamine Checklist: 1. Look at static, individual-level factors relate to violent behavior. 2. Adjust this risk assessment by considering dynamic, individual level variables in the clinical domain. 3. Examine for presence of potential protective factors or unique individualized risk factors in the Veteran's environment, including micro-environmental and macro-environmental variables. (Elbogen et al., 2010)

References

Bradley, C. (2007). Veteran status and marital aggression: Does military service make a difference? Journal of Family Violence, 22(4), 197-209. Elbogen, E. B., Fuller, S., Johnson, S. C., Brooks, S., Kinneer, P., Calhoun, P. S., et al. (2010). Improving risk assessment of violence among military veterans: An evidence-based approach for clinical decisionmaking. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(6), 595-607. Sherman, M. D., Sautter, F., Jackson, M. H., Lyons, J. A., & Han, X. (2006). DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER WHO SEEK COUPLES THERAPY. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 32(4), 479-490.