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Alcohol-related battering: Developing treatment strategies

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Abstract

There is a strong association between alcohol and battering. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between alcohol and battering in order to develop appropriate intervention strategies. First,studies demonstrating a correlation between alcohol and battering are reviewed. This is followed by a summary of the intoxicated aggression literature using Graham's (1980) conceptual system. It is tentatively concluded that the role of physiological and cognitive changes brought on by alcohol, the interaction of alcohol and frustration in producing aggression, and needs for personal power in men who drink and then aggress are all promising explanations for the alcohol-battering link. With this in mind, the applicability of disease model-based treatment for alcoholism, cognitive-behavioral-based treatments for alcoholism and battering, and feminist-based treatment for battering are each considered. Finally, a model for incorporating an alcohol component to a batterer treatment program is introduced.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Professional Psychology, Wright State University, 45435, Dayton, Ohio

    Kenneth R. Conner (Doctoral student in clinical psychology, Psychology intern in the Division of Psychology) & Gary D. Ackerley (Assistant professor, Staff psychologist)

  2. University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, New York

    Kenneth R. Conner (Doctoral student in clinical psychology, Psychology intern in the Division of Psychology)

  3. School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University, USA

    Gary D. Ackerley (Assistant professor, Staff psychologist)

  4. University Psychological Services on the Wright State campus, USA

    Gary D. Ackerley (Assistant professor, Staff psychologist)

Authors
  1. Kenneth R. Conner
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  2. Gary D. Ackerley
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Additional information

Gary D. Ackerley received his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in 1977.

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Conner, K.R., Ackerley, G.D. Alcohol-related battering: Developing treatment strategies. J Fam Viol 9, 143–155 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531960

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