Alcohol abuse, psychological distress, and suicidal thoughts are associated with intimate partner violence among parents with children

National surveys with data on intimate partner violence among men and women are few. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of alcohol abuse
(AUDIT-C), psychological distress (MHI-5) and suicidal thoughts with intimate partner violence among parents with children under 18 years. In this populationbased, cross-sectional study, 6,289 men and women were included. They responded to a questionnaire mailed to a random sample drawn from the National Population Register. Alcohol use, psychological distress and suicidal thoughts were strongly associated with intimate partner violence among both sexes even after adjustments for socio-demographic factors. This study shows that attention should be paid in healthcare and social services to the complex associations between alcohol abuse, mental health, and intimate partner violence among adults in families with children. There is an obvious need for preventive activities in universal family services to reduce and prevent violence and associated factors.