IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/socmed/v356y2024ics0277953624005975.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Couples, alcohol use and experience of intimate partner violence among young women in urban informal settlements in Durban, South Africa: A mixed methods study

Author

Listed:
  • Gibbs, Andrew
  • Mkhwanazi, Smanga
  • Ramsoomar, Leane
  • Willan, Samantha
  • Jewkes, Rachel

Abstract

Alcohol is recognized as a driver of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and experience, but relatively little research has focused on the role of couples' drinking patterns, nor pathways between alcohol and violence. We draw on data collected among young (18–30 year old) people living in informal settlements who self-selected to enroll in an intervention trial to reduce IPV in Durban, South Africa to understand these dynamics. Between September 2015 and September 2016 quantitative data were collected from women, who reported on their own experiences of IPV and alcohol use, as well as their partner's own alcohol use. To contextualise and interpret the quantitative results, we use qualitative data from women and men (who were not in relationships with one another) to understand potential pathways through which alcohol use may shape conflict in relationships. All forms of IPV (physical and/or sexual, emotional and economic) were more common among women where either, they alone had problematic drinking levels, their partner was frequently drunk but they did not have problematic alcohol use, or they had problematic alcohol use and their partner was drunk frequently. Qualitative data suggested women and men in relationships rarely drank together. Three potential ways in which alcohol use increased conflict and IPV: disinhibition, with women and men more likely to get into arguments and speak ‘badly’ to one another; the impact of men's drinking on relationships, including economic provision and providing emotional support; and, the close association between alcohol consumption and infidelity, with women's public drinking being particularly stigmatized and male partner's seeing this as a challenge to their authority and control. Interventions addressing the alcohol-IPV nexus need to also address male patriarchal control and alcohol's close association with infidelity and the impact on finances, as well as reducing alcohol use.

Suggested Citation

  • Gibbs, Andrew & Mkhwanazi, Smanga & Ramsoomar, Leane & Willan, Samantha & Jewkes, Rachel, 2024. "Couples, alcohol use and experience of intimate partner violence among young women in urban informal settlements in Durban, South Africa: A mixed methods study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 356(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:356:y:2024:i:c:s0277953624005975
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117144
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953624005975
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117144?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lesch, Elmien & Adams, Arlene R., 2016. "Couples living with and around alcohol abuse: A study of a farmworker community in the Cape Winelands, South Africa," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 167-174.
    2. Victoria Baranov & Lisa Cameron & Diana Contreras Suarez & Claire Thibout, 2021. "Theoretical Underpinnings and Meta-analysis of the Effects of Cash Transfers on Intimate Partner Violence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(1), pages 1-25, January.
    3. Murray, Sarah M. & Skavenski Van Wyk, Stephanie & Metz, Kristina & Mulemba, Saphira Munthali & Mwenge, Mwamba M. & Kane, Jeremy C. & Alto, Michelle & Venturo-Conerly, Katherine E. & Wasil, Akash R. & , 2021. "A qualitative exploration of mechanisms of intimate partner violence reduction for Zambian couples receiving the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) intervention," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    4. Dunkle, Kristin L. & Jewkes, Rachel & Nduna, Mzikazi & Jama, Nwabisa & Levin, Jonathan & Sikweyiya, Yandisa & Koss, Mary P., 2007. "Transactional sex with casual and main partners among young South African men in the rural Eastern Cape: Prevalence, predictors, and associations with gender-based violence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(6), pages 1235-1248, September.
    5. Laura K Murray & Jeremy C Kane & Nancy Glass & Stephanie Skavenski van Wyk & Flor Melendez & Ravi Paul & Carla Kmett Danielson & Sarah M Murray & John Mayeya & Francis Simenda & Paul Bolton, 2020. "Effectiveness of the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) in reducing intimate partner violence and hazardous alcohol use in Zambia (VATU): A randomized controlled trial," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(4), pages 1-22, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Roxanne C Keynejad & Tesera Bitew & Katherine Sorsdahl & Bronwyn Myers & Simone Honikman & Girmay Medhin & Negussie Deyessa & Adiyam Mulushoa & Eshcolewyine Fekadu & Louise M Howard & Charlotte Hanlon, 2023. "Problem-solving therapy for pregnant women experiencing depressive symptoms and intimate partner violence: A randomised, controlled feasibility trial in rural Ethiopia," PLOS Global Public Health, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(10), pages 1-28, October.
    2. Go, Vivian F. & Srikrishnan, Aylur K. & Salter, Megan L. & Mehta, Shruti & Johnson, Sethulakshmi C. & Sivaram, Sudha & Davis, Wendy & Solomon, Suniti & Celentano, David D., 2010. "Factors associated with the perpetration of sexual violence among wine-shop patrons in Chennai, India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(7), pages 1277-1284, October.
    3. Watt, Melissa H. & Aunon, Frances M. & Skinner, Donald & Sikkema, Kathleen J. & Kalichman, Seth C. & Pieterse, Desiree, 2012. "“Because he has bought for her, he wants to sleep with her”: Alcohol as a currency for sexual exchange in South African drinking venues," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(7), pages 1005-1012.
    4. Rocha, Fabiana & Diaz, Maria Dolores Montoya & Pereda, Paula Carvalho & Árabe, Isadora Bousquat & Cavalcanti, Filipe & Lordemus, Samuel & Kreif, Noemi & Moreno-Serra, Rodrigo, 2024. "COVID-19 and violence against women: Current knowledge, gaps, and implications for public policy," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    5. Barrington, Clare & Peterman, Amber & Akaligaung, Akalpa J. & Palermo, Tia & de Milliano, Marlous & Aborigo, Raymond A., 2022. "‘Poverty can break a home’: Exploring mechanisms linking cash plus programming and intimate partner violence in Ghana," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    6. Shah,Manisha & Seager,Jennifer & Montalvao Machado,Joao H. C. & Goldstein,Markus P., 2022. "Two Sides of Gender : Sex, Power, and Adolescence," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10072, The World Bank.
    7. Nabayinda, Josephine & Witte, Susan S. & Kizito, Samuel & Nanteza, Flavia & Nsubuga, Edward & Sensoy Bahar, Ozge & Nabunya, Proscovia & Ssewamala, Fred M., 2024. "The impact of an economic empowerment intervention on intimate partner violence among women engaged in sex work in southern Uganda: A cluster randomized control trial," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    8. repec:osf:osfxxx:dnc2r_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Andrew Corley & Nancy Glass & Mitima Mpanano Remy & Nancy Perrin, 2021. "A Latent Class Analysis of Gender Attitudes and Their Associations with Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, April.
    10. Hirvonen, Kalle & Leight, Jessica & Zafar, Sarim, 2024. "The effectiveness of cash and cash plus interventions on livelihoods outcomes: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis," CGIAR Initative Publications Fragility, Conflict, and , International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    11. Amanda Selin & Stephanie M. DeLong & Aimée Julien & Catherine MacPhail & Rhian Twine & James P. Hughes & Yaw Agyei & Erica L. Hamilton & Kathleen Kahn & Audrey Pettifor, 2019. "Prevalence and Associations, by Age Group, of IPV Among AGYW in Rural South Africa," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(1), pages 21582440198, February.
    12. Cullen, Claire & Joshi, Sarthak & Vecci, Joseph & Talbot-Jones, Julia, 2024. "Female Empowerment and Male Backlash: Experimental Evidence from India," IZA Discussion Papers 17450, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    13. Rachel Jewkes & Samantha Willan & Lori Heise & Laura Washington & Nwabisa Shai & Alice Kerr-Wilson & Andrew Gibbs & Erin Stern & Nicola Christofides, 2021. "Elements of the Design and Implementation of Interventions to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls Associated with Success: Reflections from the What Works to Prevent Violence against Women and Gi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-16, November.
    14. Mwale, Martin Limbikani, 2023. "Do agricultural subsidies matter for women’s attitude towards intimate partner violence? Evidence from Malawi," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    15. Conroy, Amy A. & Ruark, Allison & Mulauzi, Nancy & Mkandawire, James & Darbes, Lynae A. & Hahn, Judith A. & Neilands, Torsten B. & Tebbetts, Scott & Ssewamala, Fred M., 2024. "Mlambe economic and relationship-strengthening intervention for alcohol use decreases violence and improves relationship quality in couples living with HIV in Malawi," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 362(C).
    16. repec:plo:pone00:0217115 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. McGuire, Joel & Kaiser, Caspar & Bach-Mortensen, Anders, 2020. "The impact of cash transfers on subjective well-being and mental health in low- and middle- income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis," SocArXiv ydr54, Center for Open Science.
    18. Bhana, Deevia, 2015. "When caring is not enough: The limits of teachers’ support for South African primary school-girls in the context of sexual violence," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 262-270.
    19. Hadley, Craig & Maxfield, Amanda & Hruschka, Daniel, 2019. "Different forms of household wealth are associated with opposing risks for HIV infection in East Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 344-351.
    20. Fiorella, Kathryn J. & Camlin, Carol S. & Salmen, Charles R. & Omondi, Ruth & Hickey, Matthew D. & Omollo, Dan O. & Milner, Erin M. & Bukusi, Elizabeth A. & Fernald, Lia C.H. & Brashares, Justin S., 2015. "Transactional Fish-for-Sex Relationships Amid Declining Fish Access in Kenya," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 323-332.
    21. Ranganathan, Meghna & Pichon, Marjorie & Hidrobo, Melissa & Tambet, Heleene & Sintayehu, Wastina & Tadesse, Seifu & Buller, Ana Maria, 2022. "Government of Ethiopia's public works and complementary programmes: A mixed-methods study on pathways to reduce intimate partner violence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    22. Fielding-Miller, Rebecca & Dunkle, Kristin L. & Jama-Shai, Nwabisa & Windle, Michael & Hadley, Craig & Cooper, Hannah L.F., 2016. "The feminine ideal and transactional sex: Navigating respectability and risk in Swaziland," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 24-33.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:356:y:2024:i:c:s0277953624005975. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/315/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.