Open Access
Gender differences in unidirectional and bidirectional intimate partner violence in addictions
(Taylor & Francis, 2019) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Haro Escribano, Begoña; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: Few studies have analyzed the specific characteristics related to uni/bidirectional intimate partner violence (IPV) in patients with addiction problems. Knowing the specific profiles of these patients would allow the development of effective tailored interventions. Objective: This study assessed gender differences in unidirectional and bidirectional IPV among patients undergoing drug addiction treatment. Method: We sampled 122 patients (91 male and 31 female) who sought treatment in an addiction treatment center, and collected cross-sectional self-reported data on violent behaviors (physical, sexual and psychological violence), sociodemographic factors, distorted thoughts about women and violence, impulsiveness, and anger. Results: Ninety-one percent of participants reported experience of IPV (any type and any direction). Sixty-three percent of participants reported bidirectional violence, which was more common among women (83.9%) than men (56.1%). Unidirectional (perpetration only) IPV was reported in 28.7% of participants, and it was more common among men (34.1%) than women (12.9%). No one reported unidirectional (victimization-only) IPV. When only physical and/or sexual violence was considered, bidirectional violence affected 32.0% of the sample; 23.8% were only victims, and 3.3% were only perpetrators (all of them men). Participants who reported bidirectional violence had higher scores for impulsiveness, anger, and distorted thoughts. Conclusions: Bidirectional IPV is commonly reported among patients seeking treatment for addiction, particularly among women, and should be considered in future research and clinical practice.
Open Access
Prescription drug abuse among female survivors of intimate partner violence: a call for research
(Springer, 2023) Haro Escribano, Begoña; Cuesta-García, Andrea; Miguel-Alvaro, Alejandro; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Crespo, María; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Substance abuse, including the misuse of prescription drugs, has increased in the last two decades around the world (McCabe, et al., 2007; National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], 2023; World Health Organisation [WHO], 2020). Global sources estimated that 5.5% of people aged 15-64 years worldwide had used an illicit drug and that 0.7% of the adult population suffered from drug use disorders. A proportion of disorders is associated with the non-medical use of prescription drugs such as synthetic opioid analgesics, anxiolytics, hypnotics or psychostimulants (NIDA, 2023; WHO, 2020). Furthermore, prescription drug abuse (PDA) might be higher in specific populations such as women with substance use disorder (SUD; Peteet, 2020), especially among those who had attempted suicide (Icick, 2017). Some of the factors that have been related with PDA are histories of abuse and the lessened stigma associated with the use of prescription drugs compared to the use of illegal drugs (Fleary et al., 2013). For example, survivors of violence have presented a greater vulnerability to substance abuse (Khantzian, 1997), than has serious medical consequences (Benyamin et al., 2008). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health problem associated with several physical and mental health consequences in women such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse (Campbell, 2002). Among these consequences, Bailey et al. (2019) indicated that women abused substances to manage their emotions. This relationship has been mostly supported by the self-medication hypothesis, which holds that people with an addiction problem seek to cope with emotional distress through substance use (Khantzian, 1997). Although the relationship between IPV and substance use has been established among women (Ahmadabadi et al., 2019; Golding, 1999), few studies have examined the specific relationship between IPV and PDA. In recent years, an increase in PDA among Spanish women who had suffered IPV has been observed (Ministerio de Igualdad, 2020). The most prevalent prescribed drugs were both anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs, with higher rates of use among IPV survivors than among the general population (Crespo et al., 2017). In other countries, studies found that almost half of participants were taking pain and/or psychotropic medications to cope with IPV impact (Wuest et al., 2007). On the other hand, victimization histories were more extensive among women who used sedative-hypnotics and opiates compared to women who did not (Kubiak et al., 2006). As IPV may be a predisposing factor for the development of PDA (Kubiak et al., 2006), the main goals of this review were to provide a summary of recent research on the relationship between IPV and PDA, identify gaps in knowledge and propose specific avenues for future research.

Haro Escribano, Begoña

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