Alcohol use and family violence: The relationship revisited

Abstract

Traditionally, alcohol use has been considered a major causal factor in incidents involving family violence. However, only a correlational relationship can be identified through research efforts to date. In order to look more rigorously into the relationship between alcohol use and family violence, interdisciplinary effects, focused on a series and variety of research designs should be devised. A family perspective should be adopted and research efforts should be focused on the general population, and not only on the clinic population or recipients of social services and medical treatment. Random sampling and control groups should be used in order to ensure the validity of the studies. Replication of research should be made in different communities, times, and cultural contexts.