John H. Newby

Patterns of mutual and nonmutual spouse abuse in the U.S. Army (1998-2002).

The pattern and severity of substantiated mutual and nonmutual spouse abuse between U.S. Army enlisted personnel and their spouses was determined for 1998 to 2002. The number of nonmutual and mutual abuse victims was equal in 1998, but by 2002 there were about twice as many non mutual as mutual victims. The rate per thousand of mutual abuse decreased by 58% while that of nonmutual abuse decreased by 13%. The rate per thousand of female victims was always greater than male victims for non-mutual abuse and the severity of abuse of female victims was always more severe than male victims. The active duty female had the highest risk of becoming a victim. These patterns of mutual and nonmutual domestic abuse in the U.S. Army suggest that prevention and educational approaches could be developed that would be useful to prevention specialists and to clinicians as the Army pursues avenues to reduce domestic violence.

Small Group Dynamics and Drug Abuse in an Army Setting: A Case Study

Drug abuse has been subjected to a myriad of empirical and theoretical explorations which have attempted to explicate its occurrence as a sociobehavioral phenomenon. The study of the organization of drug-related behavioral manifestations requires the investigation of variant psychosocial, situational, environmental, and structural variables. Small groups within the military establishment are relatively numerous and vitally important. A sense of comradeship exists within such groups and troop morale is frequently facilitated by their existence. The purpose of this paper is to present a descriptive case study of the role of the small group as a central organizing locus around which drug abuse in an army setting revolves. The data presented were collected from subpopulations identified in the course of an epidemiological study of drug and alcohol use at a military post. The paper describes the small group observed in terms of its functional relationships and interactive dynamics. The case study data are presented relative to role differentiation within the group, group norms, values, boundaries, identity, sanctions, and controls. These concepts are examined with a view toward assessing the manner in which drug abuse is initiated, maintained, and controlled via small group dynamics.