Alcohol, Self-Control and Intimate Partner Aggression

Alcoholic addict. Man near the table with alcohol and a glass.

Researchers will examine the impact of alcohol and fluctuating levels of self-control on incidents of intimate partner aggression.

Principal Investigator

Maria Testa, PhD
Research Institute on Addictions

Co-Principal Investigators

Kenneth Leonard, PhD
Research Institute on Addictions

Funding Agency: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Abstract: This innovative study will examine the temporal effects of fluctuations in self-control strength and alcohol use on partner aggression within couples’ daily lives using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Married and cohabiting couples who drink alcohol regularly and have experienced some prior relationship aggression will be recruited from the community. Using smartphones, partners will make independent reports up to five times per day, for 30 days, including responses to random prompts, daily bedtime reports and event-triggered reports of events involving anger, conflict or aggression. Improved understanding of the role of fluctuating levels of self-control and alcohol use in daily episodes of partner aggression may lead to the development of novel interventions to prevent intimate partner aggression.