The tripartite tragedy: Alcohol and other drugs, intimate partner violence and child abuse

Abstract

The relationship between alcohol and other drugs (AOD) misuse and intimate partner violence (IPV) is well established. However, there is a pressing need for knowledge translation in relation to the association between AOD, IPV and child abuse and neglect. A substantial number of research studies and literature reviews on the relationship between AOD and IPV have appeared over the past several decades. However, heterogeneity across the literature reviews and findings, as well as in methodological differences and limitations, may contribute to interpretive difficulties that confound conclusions and/or create confusion among the researchers, practitioners and policy makers who turn to this literature for guidance in their research, treatment and policy decisions. To address this issue, this paper examines the evidence on the topic of AOD and IPV through a focused review-of-reviews methodology to compare and synthesise the overall patterns of findings derived from several reviews that have investigated the literature on the relationship between AOD and IPV. The results derived from the review-of-reviews are synthesised and integrated to present an understanding of the association between AOD and IPV in reference to child abuse and neglect. The limitations for research and practice are discussed, placing particular focus on knowledge translation in relation to child welfare policy and parents and children involved with child protection authorities.