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Understanding the Roles of Context, Frequency, and Quantity of Alcohol Consumption in Child Physical Abuse: Risks for Mothers and Fathers

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Abstract

Alcohol use is related to child physical abuse, although little is known about gender-specific risks factors. This study examines the relationships between alcohol outlets, context-specific drinking, dose–response drinking and child physical abuse for mothers and fathers. Telephone interviews were conducted with 1973 female and 1050 male respondents in 50 California cities. Weighted negative binomial models were used to calculate the frequency of physical abuse in the past year. Drinking more often at restaurants was related to higher frequency of physical abuse for fathers, while mothers who drank more frequently at bars and parties used physical abuse more often. There were no significant dose–response drinking relationships for fathers. Drinking higher amounts at bars, parties, and restaurants was associated with less frequent physical abuse for mothers. Our findings suggest that a focus on drinking contexts may reveal heightened risk for many mothers who do not consume large amounts of alcohol.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Social Work, California State University, Sacramento, 4010 Mariposa Hall, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA

    Jennifer Price Wolf

  2. Department of Social Welfare, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Bridget Freisthler

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  1. Jennifer Price Wolf
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  2. Bridget Freisthler
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Correspondence to Jennifer Price Wolf.

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The preparation of this paper was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (P60-AA006282). The content is solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIAAA or the National Institutes of Health.

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Wolf, J.P., Freisthler, B. Understanding the Roles of Context, Frequency, and Quantity of Alcohol Consumption in Child Physical Abuse: Risks for Mothers and Fathers. J Fam Viol 31, 539–548 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9795-6

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