Attachment, personality and female perpetrators of intimate partner violence

Abstract

This study examined explanations of intimate partner violence in female offenders. The sample of 92 female offenders completed measures of attachment, borderline and anti-social personality dimensions, psychological and physical aggression. Participant’s most recent and previous relationships were explored to examine the patterns of perpetrating and being victimised in relationships. Female offenders reported higher levels of attachment anxiety than attachment avoidance. Attachment insecurity was found to predict victimisation but not perpetrating intimate partner violence in recent relationships. Borderline and anti-social personality dimensions were significantly associated with offenders perpetrating intimate partner violence and being victimised in their most recent relationship. In previous relationships, borderline personality scores were associated with victimisation whereas anti-social personality scores were associated with perpetrating intimate partner violence. Personality dimensions were also found to mediate relationships between attachment anxiety and victimisation in offenders’ most recent relationships. Potential treatment pathways for this population are discussed and future research directions are recommended.

Keywords:

• personality
• attachment
• intimate partner violence
• female offenders

Acknowledgement

I would like to acknowledge the Primrose Service and Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust for supporting the undertaking of this research.

Notes

1. The symbol Δβ represents the change in β between attachment and aggression/violence following controlling for personality disorder.