Evaluation of domestic physical violence in a male sample in a psychiatric outpatient clinic: a controlled study

Özet

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study is to determine spousal physical violence (SPV), physical abuse during childhood (exposure [EPVC], witnessing parental violence [WPVC]), the frequency of physical violence against their own child (PVAC) and the relationship between them in a male sample. Also it is aimed to determine the contributing sociodemographic characteristics, to assess the burden of psychiatric morbidity, and to discuss its relationship with SPV. Method: In this study, data of psychiatric outpatients admitted to the psychiatry outpatient clinic of Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital consecutively (n=80) and a control group (n=40) who did not meet the psychiatric diagnostic criteria were compared. SCID-I (Structured Clinical Interview Form for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders) and Clinical Interview Form I-II for Domestic Violence were administered to both groups. Results: Although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups, high rates of SPV were detected in both (71.3% vs. 60%, p=0.215). In the group with a psychiatric diagnosis, EPVC was significantly higher (87.5% vs. 72.5%, p=0.041). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the rates of WPVC (61.3% vs. 47.5%, p=0.152) and PVAC (76.1% versus 57.6%, p=0.057). In multivariate logistic regression model, a significant predictive factor of SPV was determined as EPVC (Exp[B]: 5.071 95% Cl: 1.092-23.549). There was no significant difference between the violence rates of patients with and without specific psychiatric diagnoses. Conclusion: This study conducted with an all-male sample shows that domestic violence is common in both psychiatric diagnoses and control groups. When cross-sectionally evaluated, the results of the study show that the EPVC increases the burden of psychiatric comorbidity and SPV