An Event-Level Examination of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: Effects of Alcohol, Instigation, and Regulatory Mechanisms.

Abstract

Objective: The I³ model outlines how factors interact to predict intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration such as relationship tension, emotion regulation (ER) and distress tolerance difficulties, and alcohol use. Despite the model's emphasis on these factors' synergistic nature (i.e., "perfect storm"), they are typically examined disparately and use retrospective self-report over an aggregate timeframe, preventing a nuanced examination of IPV. The current event-level study aimed to (a) examine the confluence of event-level instigating (e.g., relationship tension), impelling (e.g., ER difficulties, distress intolerance), and disinhibiting (e.g., alcohol use) I³ factors predicting IPV perpetration; and (b) investigate how between- and within-person deviations in these I³ factors impact likelihood of same-day IPV perpetration.

Method: A community sample of 150 young adults with IPV histories completed 25 online daily diaries examining I³ factors and IPV perpetration.

Results: Using generalized estimating equations examining the interactive effects of relationship tension, ER difficulties, distress intolerance, and alcohol use on IPV likelihood, results showed a significant three-way interaction between average levels of relationship tension, ER difficulties, and alcohol use predicting IPV perpetration likelihood. At high average levels of relationship tension and alcohol use, ER difficulties had a significant positive effect on IPV perpetration likelihood. When examining within-person deviations in I³ factors, only deviations in relationship tension above one's average level significantly predicted IPV perpetration likelihood.

Conclusion: Findings support the synergistic nature of relationship tension, ER difficulties and alcohol use on increased likelihood of IPV perpetration, particularly for one's typical level of each factor.