Accounting for intimate partner violence perpetration. A cross-cultural comparison of English and Brazilian male substance users' explanations

Radcliffe, Polly; d'Oliveira, Ana Flávia Pires Lucas; Lea, Susan; dos Santos Figueiredo, Wagner; Gilchrist, Gail

Abstract

Introduction and Aims: This paper describes how substance use features in the accounts of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators in treatment in England and Brazil. The aim of the research was to better understand cross cultural constructions of IPV perpetration amongst men in treatment for substance use. Design and Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 men in community substance use treatment in Sao Paolo, Brazil and London and the South East of England who had reported IPV perpetration in a questionnaire survey. A thematic, narrative analysis was carried out of men's explanations for IPV perpetration. Findings: Three types of narratives were distinguished: (i) disputes, centred on substance use, that escalate to IPV perpetration; (ii) IPV perpetration that is explained by uncharacteristic loss of control, as a result of intoxication; and (iii) IPV perpetration provoked by a perceived betrayal, in which substance use is incidental. In all types of accounts hegemonic principles of male and female roles and behaviour provided a context for and make IPV perpetration explicable. Discussion and Conclusions: Substance use and IPV are culturally constructed and contextually defined. Understanding the meaning-making of substance using IPV perpetrators has implications for the treatment of both substance abuse and IPV.

Citation

Radcliffe, P., d'Oliveira, A. F. P. L., Lea, S., dos Santos Figueiredo, W., & Gilchrist, G. (2017). Accounting for intimate partner violence perpetration. A cross-cultural comparison of English and Brazilian male substance users' explanations. Drug and Alcohol Review, 36(1), 64-71. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12450

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 30, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Aug 12, 2016
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Deposit Date: Apr 4, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 4, 2019
• Journal: Drug and Alcohol Review
• Print ISSN: 0959-5236
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 64-71
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12450
• Keywords: Intimate partner violence; Perpetration; Substance abuse; Gender; Account
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1547153
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/dar.12450
• Contract Date: Apr 4, 2019