Parental Attachment, Self-Esteem, Social Problem-Solving, Intimate Partner Violence Victimization in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

Emerging adults can experience conflicts with their dating partner, leading to intimate partner violence (IPV). In order to understand the vulnerability factors involved in IPV victimization, the current study explored a serial multiple mediation model to determine the links between parental attachment (to the father and mother), self-esteem, and social problem solving (SPS) on the three forms of IPV (psychological, physical and sexual). Based on an online survey, 756 emerging adults (84.8% women, mean age = 23.52) completed self-report questionnaires related to parental attachment, self-esteem, SPS (avoidance and impulsive/carelessness style), and IPV during the past year. The study design was cross-sectional and data were analyzed through partial least structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. The findings did not support serial multiple mediation model, as the indirect effects of the two specific mediation models were not significant. However, the total indirect effects were significant, indicating a cascade effect chain of events between the variables; insecure parental attachment was related to lower self-esteem, which was associated with poor SPS skills (especially impulsive/carelessness style), which in turn was associated with both psychological and physical violence victimization. The implications of the findings for promoting the life skills of emerging adults, such as problem solving or self-esteem, to enable them to handle their relationship conflicts are discussed.

Statement of Relevance

IPV in emerging adults shows specific dynamics, different from those of adults. Understanding the interactions of vulnerability factors of these IPV, particularly among victims, is important for developing prevention programs based on evidence. Using a new multiple mediation approach, this study explores the interactions between parental attachment, self-esteem, problem solving and IPV victimization. It highlights the need to act on life skills such as problem solving or self-esteem to prevent IPV victimization.

Keywords:

• Intimate partner violence
• parental attachment
• emerging adulthood
• self-esteem
• social problem solving
• coping skills
• family relations
• interpersonal relations
• parenting
• self-concept

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethics Approval

The project was approved by a Research Ethics Committee of Tours-Poitiers (2019-03-04).

Additional information

Funding

The authors reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Chloé Cherrier

Chloe Cherrier is a PhD student in health psychology in the Quality of Life and Psychological Health unit at Tours University. Her research focuses mainly on intimate partner violence among young adults and emphasizes the protective roles of life skills. She also conducts IPV prevention programs with adolescents and emerging adults.

Robert Courtois

Robert Courtois (MD, PhD) is full professor (University of Tours) and also part-time hospital psychiatrist (CHRU of Tours - CRIAVS Centre-Val de Loire). His research focuses on (1) Becoming an adult (risk behaviors, addictions, risky sexual behavior) and (2) Violence in interpersonal relationships (sexual violence, intimate partner violence, harassment).fet

Emmanuel Rusch

Emmanuel Rusch (MD, PhD) is a full professor (University of Tours), public health doctor (CHRU of Tours) and director of the Education, Ethics, Health unit at the University of Tours. His research focuses on health and training courses and he is particularly interested in the conditions for "acting together", from a transdisciplinary perspective.

Catherine Potard

Catherine Potard (PhD) is full professor (University of Angers) and also part-time psychologist (CHRU of Tours - CRIAVS Centre-Val de Loire). Her research topics focus on the study of psychological risk, vulnerability, and protective factors in the development and maintenance of risk behaviors and interpersonal violence during developmental transition periods such as adolescence and early adulthood.