Attachment theory and violence toward women by male intimate partners

Explore whether understanding of violence toward women by their male intimate partners is enhanced by attachment theory.

This review was focused on the evidence that men prone to intimate partner violence were insecurely attached as infants, and as a consequence, their internal working models of attachment relationships include the use of aggression to gain power and control. These internal working models are brought to their adult relationships with intimate partners. The intergenerational transmission of violence occurs when children who witness episodes of violence in their homes, or experience violence directly as victims, become aggressive in adult relationships. Parallels between concepts of infant attachment and adult romantic attachment, such as maintaining proximity to attachment figures, were examined.

The literature on attachment theory and intimate partner violence was reviewed. References were identified from electronic databases and from a manual search of the literature.

Evidence about intimate partner violence is consistent with attachment theory. This framework is a base for extension of knowledge of intimate partner violence. Changes in practice, research, and policy to support an attachment perspective are discussed.