The relation of family violence, employment status, welfare benefits, and alcohol drinking in the United States (Reprinted)

circle Objective To examine the contribution of employment status, welfare benefits, alcohol use, and other individual and contextual factors to physical agression during marital conflict. circle Methods Logistic regression models were used to analyze panel data collected in the National Survey of Families and Households and in 1987 and 1992 A total of 4,780 married or cohabiting persons reinterviewed in 1992 were included in the analysis, Domestic violence was defined as reporting that both partners were physically violent during arguments. circle Results Unemployed respondents are not at greater risk of family violence than employed respondents, after alcohol misuse, income, education, age, and other factors are controlled for; however, employed persons receiving welfare benefits are at significantly higher risk Alcohol misuse, which remains a predictor of violence even after other factors are controlled for, increases the risk of family violence, and satisfaction with social support from family and friends is associated with its decrease. circle Conclusions Alcohol misuse has an important effect on domestic violence, and the potential impact of welfare reform on domestic violence needs to be monitored.