Citation

Ernst AA, Weiss SJ, Hall JA, Clark R, Coffman B, Goldstein L, Hobley K, Dettmer T, Lehrman C, Merhege M, Corum B, Rihani T, Valdez M. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 2009; 27(6): 641-650.

Affiliation

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 95817, USA. aernst56@aol.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ajem.2008.05.003

PMID

19751620

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In a previous study, no association was found between intimate partner violence (IPV) victims and being an adult who witnessed IPV as a child (ACW). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to determine whether perpetrators of IPV (Perps) could be identified in a busy emergency department (ED) and whether Perps were more likely than non-Perps to be ACWs. The hypothesis was that Perps differed significantly from non-Perps in being ACWs, in being victims of IPV, and in demographics. METHODS: The design was a cross-sectional cohort of patients presenting to an academic ED during randomized 4-hour shifts. A choice of computer touch screen data vs paper format was offered. Data collected included demographics as well as scales to determine whether subjects were a Perp, victim, and/or ACW of IPV. Six validated scales were used to screen and confirm victims, Perps, and ACWs. Predictor variables were ACW, ongoing IPV, and demographics. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-six subjects were entered, 207 had complete data sets. Forty-four (19%) were Perps. By univariate analysis, there was a significant correlation of Perps and ACW (P = .001 by single question) and between Perp and being victims (P = .001). No other univariate variables were significantly correlated. By regression analysis, significant predictors of Perp included ACW and spouse drug abuse. CONCLUSIONS: The Perps were identified in a busy ED setting. Perps were significantly more likely than non-Perps to be ACWs, but not more likely to be victims. Spouse drug abuse and ACW were the 2 significant predictors of Perp.

Language: en