Adulthood animal abuse among men arrested for domestic violence

Violence Against Women. 2014 Sep;20(9):1059-77. doi: 10.1177/1077801214549641.

Abstract

Learning more about intimate partner violence (IPV), perpetrators could aid the development of more effective treatments. The prevalence of adulthood animal abuse (AAA) perpetration and its association with IPV perpetration, antisociality, and alcohol use in 307 men arrested for domestic violence were examined. Forty-one percent (n = 125) of the men committed at least one act of animal abuse since the age of 18, in contrast to the 1.5% prevalence rate reported by men in the general population. Controlling for antisociality and alcohol use, AAA showed a trend toward a significant association with physical and severe psychological IPV perpetration.

Keywords: animal abuse; intimate partner violence; male perpetrator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aggression / psychology
  • Animal Welfare / statistics & numerical data*
  • Animals
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / psychology
  • Domestic Violence / psychology
  • Domestic Violence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires