Adult attachment as a risk factor for intimate partner violence

Abstract

Introduction: Attachment theory focuses on the emergence and development of models acquired during child development and on the role that such models play in future interpersonal relationships throughout the life cycle [1]. The insecure attachment can be seen as a risk factor for intimate partner violence. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate attachment as a risk factor, mainly analyse the relationship between adult attachment, beliefs about intimate violence, aggression, and the presence of psychopathology in adulthood.

Materials and methods: Data was collected in Victims Information and Assistance Office (partnership with Egas Moniz High University), between 2014 and 2018 from lawsuits, semi-structured interviews of the defendant, collateral information and clinical and forensic assessment tools [e.g. Experiences in Close Relationships, Brennan, Clark & Shaver, 1998; Portuguese Version Moreira, et al., 2006; Scale of Beliefs about Marital Violence, Matos, Machado & Gonçalves, 2000; Aggression Questionnaire, Buss & Perry, 1992; Portuguese Version Simões, 1993; Brief Symptom Inventory, Derogatis, 1993; Portuguese Version Canavarro, 1995)]. Defendants signed an informed consent term, which contained the goal of the evaluation, the limits of the confidentiality, and also information about the ethics and impartiality of the technicians. A total of 41 intimate partner violence offenders were evaluate.

Results: The results show us that 21 offenders had a secure attachment and 20 had an insecure attachment (assess the two basic dimensions of individual differences in adult attachment style, namely avoidance and preoccupation). We found a positive association between preoccupation and beliefs about violence, namely minimizing small acts of violence (r=.55; p=.00), supporting violence through women’s misconduct (r=.36; p=.02), supporting violence through family privacy (r=.41; p=.00) and the general level of tolerance/acceptance of physical and psychological violence (r=.48; p=.00). There is a significant correlation between preoccupation and aggression (r=.52; p=.00), specifically anger (r=.48; p=.00) and hostility (r=.44; p=.00). Finally, we corroborate a relationship between preoccupation and psychopathology: Somatization (r=.34; p=.02), interpersonal sensitivity (r=.40; p=.01), depression (r=.44; p=.00), hostility (r=.37; p=.01), phobic anxiety (r=.49; p=.00) and psychoticism (r=.45; p=.00).

Discussion and conclusions: The data demonstrated that some offenders tends to develop an insecure attachment in their intimate relationships, have an intense concern with relationships and a constant desire of closeness and obsession with abandonment and loss of intimacy. In a global analysis it appears that the attachment is relate with beliefs, aggression and psychopathology. In fact, these results allow aid professionals and institutions to have a deep knowledge about adult attachment as a risk factor.