Abstract

Domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) are significant global public health concerns with severe consequences, including mental health issues, physical injuries, and increased alcohol and substance use. Alcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD) are known to exacerbate aggression, a critical factor in DV perpetration. This study aims to investigate the frequency of ASUD, as well as levels of aggression and resilience, in DV perpetrators referred to a forensic clinic under Law No. 6284 in Türkiye. A total of 111 individuals were assessed for ASUD, aggression, and resilience. Results showed that 43 participants were diagnosed with ASUD, and those diagnosed exhibited significantly higher aggression levels compared to DV perpetrators without ASUD diagnosis. Addiction was found to be a significant predictor of all four subscales of aggression, marital status positively predicted physical aggression, and resilience negatively predicted physical aggression. This study highlights the strong association between ASUD and aggression in DV perpetrators and emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions addressing both addiction and aggression in treatment settings.

Key words: Domestic violence, alcohol and substance use disorders, aggression, resilience, Law No. 6284.