Project Title: High Alcohol Consumption and Physical Violence inflicted by Fathers on Young Australian Mothers.

Project Synopsis:

Context:

The context of this study is within the youthful population of Australian mothers (16-24 years of age). The context plays a large role in the variables investigated in this study (alcohol consumption and violence). The Australian culture of drinking and binging is a harmful and concerning one with roots altitudinal values of Australian larrikinism. However, the role of drinking is not imminently clear, as it plays large roles as a relaxant, social and celebratory accompaniment and sources of employment and tax revenue (National Preventative Health Taskforce, 2008). Three quarters of the Australian population (72.6%) drink at moderate levels with little to no long-term health effects (National Preventative Health Taskforce, 2008). This leaves two alarming statistics to follow: a) One quarter of our population are drinking excessively on a continual basis with the drinking among 18-24 year olds illustrating an upward trend from 1995; and b) The short-term binging-albeit occasional-is a prominent feature of Australian drinking culture, that may be more harmful than regular consumption (1 in 5 Australians) (Reavely, Jorm, McCann &Lubman, 2011). Heavy alcohol consumption among the younger population is a profound issue often leading to interfamilial violence. Moreover, studies suggest that substance use mental illness is the most common mental illnesses among the male population (Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing [NSMHWB], 2007). A 1994 review completed by Heise, Raikes, Watts &Zwi (1994, pp. 1176) declared, "violence against women is a significant health and social problem affecting virtually all societies". While inroads have been made in attenuating the issue, partner violence represents a significant public health challenge.

Objectives:

1. To investigate and correlate the effects of high alcohol consumption and violence inflicted by fathers onto young Australian mothers.

2. To suggest possible solutions for attenuating alcohol consumption in young Australians.

Research Methods:

• Variables:
  • Independent: High alcohol consumption
  • Dependent: Violence on young mothers
    

Study Design:

• Research will be conducted using quantitative cross-sectional descriptive correlational design, through the survey of young mothers (18-24 years old).
• The sample subset of Australian mothers (18-24 years old) will be targeted through simple random sampling in environments that are more probable to contain young mothers.
  

Sampling Strategy:

o Simple random sampling will be conducted by targeting childcare centers, universities, schools and kindergarten.

o The inclusion criteria includes only that the young women has a child and is between the ages of 18-24.

o Exclusion criteria:

o Maximizing participation rate: We are hopeful that young mothers would be more likely to assist in research if it contributes to preventing the same issues in other young mothers. Along the same lines, we have taken an innovative approach to participant reimbursement. In particular, instead of reimbursing the participant directly, we will donate $1.00 per participant to a charity that supports young domestic violence victims. This is not only an ethical approach to research but also altruistic.

• Sample size: Using the following parameters to ensure a safe sample size is selected, we can calculate the required minimum participants for adequate confidence.
  

Confidence Interval: 95% (corresponding to a Z-score of 1.96)

Standard Deviation: 0.5 (safe option to ensure appropriate sample size.

Standard error: 5%

Required Sample Size = (Z-score)² - StdDev*(1-StdDev) / (margin of error)²

(1.96)² x 0.5*(1-0.5) / (.05)²

(3.8416 x .25) / 0.0025

0.9604 / 0.0025

384.16?385 = 385 participants required

• Statistical power:
  

Theoretical study population:

• This research is proposed to affect the wider population of mothers in Australia and around the world, who are subject to domestic violence that is influenced by alcohol.
  • Accessible study population: See above sampling strategy
  • Sampling frame: See above sampling strategy
    

Instrument Development:

Quantitative through the use of the Likert-scale, developed in 1932 (McLeod, 2008). The scale is used to measure attitudes and opinions on an ordinal scale (Bowling 1997, Burns & Grove 1997). It is applicable to this research due to the subjective nature of the variables. For instance, it relies heavily on the perceptions of the mother. Moreover, the Likert-scale can measure agreement, frequency, importance or likelihood depending on the way in which the 5-point scale is worded (McLeod, 2008).

Quantitative cross-sectional correlational descriptive survey of young mothers (18-24 years old).

Proposed Benefits:

Understanding the link between alcohol and violenceis critical in promoting better life choices, implementing promotional campaigns and reducing alcohol induced health impacts. Assessing the probable impacts (both positive and negative) of imposing alcohol limits and drinking curfews in Australia. Considering new and novel health promotion strategies to preventrisky alcohol consumption and alcohol-induced violence.

Terminology and Definitions:

• High Alcohol Consumption: Alcoholism is defined as the compulsive and uncontrollable abuse of alcohol, such that it impacts the sufferers health, relationships and lifestyle. In this study, we will assess two types of high alcohol consumption

1. Alcoholism: As defined by the NIAAA: the consumption of more than 4 drinks per day (14/week) for men and 3 drinks per day (7/week) for women.

2. Binging: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA, n.d; America) defines binge drinking as the amount of alcohol leading to a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 (0.08g/dL), which would be reached by consuming five drinks for men or four for women over a two hour period.

• Physical Violence will be defined as any form of self-reported physical violence.
• Young mothers: aged 18 to 24 years old (information regarding the 16-18 age group is difficult due to the perception of legal ramifications of coming forward as a child and ethical considerations such as parent guardian consent)