Violence and substance abuse- a longitudinal study
It is well documented that alcohol use and abuse have implications for violence perpetration and victimization and that alcohol problems can develop after exposure to violence. It is unclear and difficult to research what role illegal drugs play in the above mentioned. It is also unclear whether alcohol is the primary causal or triggering factor for violence or if violence primarily is the causal or triggering factor for alcohol problems, or if alcohol and violence mutually reinforce each other creating a negative spiral. Mechanisms linking alcohol problems and violence victimization are poorly understood (Walsh, Galea, & Koenen, 2012). Longitudinal studies are necessary to investigate how the different factors interact over time and what the central mechanisms are.
Project Manager
Main objective
The primary aim is to study the association between substance use and vulnerability to violence over time in young adults, with focus on violence in close relationships. Furthermore, this study will investigate the associations between substance use, violence in close relationships, re-victimization and health. These findings will be important for the development of preventative measures.
Method
In 2013 the data collection in the study “Violence and rape in Norway” (prevalence study) were conducted, with approximately 6500 participants ages 16-74. In the fall of 2014 a sub-selection of young adult participants were re-contacted for a follow-up study of 500 individuals exposed to violence and 500 controls that had not been exposed (second data collection). Spring 2016 there will be conducted a new re-contact of young adult participants (third data collection).
Publications
Aakvaag, H. F., Thoresen, S., Strøm, I. F., Myhre, M. C., & Hjemdal, O. K. (2018). Shame predicts revictimization in victims of childhood violence. A prospective study of a general Norwegian population sample. Psychological Trauma, 11(1), 43-50. doi:10.1037/tra0000373