Rates of heavy episodic drinking (HED) among military veterans are almost double that of the general population. Veterans also experience more serious negative health consequences of HED, including high-risk behaviors such as aggression. Research shows there is a link between HED and aggression. However, no programs exist to reduce alcohol-related aggression among veterans. The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of adapting a current therapy - Managing Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA) - to include alcohol-focused Motivational Interviewing plus Feedback (MIF). We will use a brief, four session protocol that includes an hour of talk therapy, plus completion of surveys at each of the four sessions.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem that results in significant health and economic burdens including mortality, morbidity, and poor treatment outcomes. A well-developed field of research suggests that alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to IPV. Individuals with PTSD and/or problematic drinking behaviors are at risk for IPV because of several factors that are common symptoms of PTSD. Because individuals with PTSD often drink alcohol to "self-medicate" or cope with distressing PTSD symptoms, PTSD co-occurs with alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder at extraordinarily high rates. However, few studies have examined the combined effects of alcohol misuse and PTSD on any form of violence.

This study will examine the effects of alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on alcohol-related intimate partner violence (IPV). We will examine these associations among couples (N=70) in a controlled laboratory setting using validated, standardized methods in a 'real-world' settings using 28 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA). EMA includes very short surveys (5 minutes or less) that participants respond to on a smartphone application. Participants will be asked to respond to these surveys in the morning and three additional times throughout the day.