Intimate partner violence and substance use among Hawai'i youth: an analysis of recent data from the Hawai'i Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the relationship between adolescent substance use and intimate partner violence (IPV).

METHOD: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the statewide Hawai'i Youth Risk Behavior Survey data for the years 2005, 2007, and 2009. Public school students (n = 4,364) attending medium to large school districts in Hawai'i participated. Prevalence estimates and regression models of covariates were calculated.

RESULTS

Results indicated that IPV victimization and substance use are prevalent among Hawai'i youth. Odds ratio calculations indicated that substance use (specifically multiple drug use) is associated with an increased likelihood of reporting IPV victimization.

CONCLUSIONS

Curricula and programming to prevent drug use among Hawai'i youth must incorporate IPV prevention, and vice versa.