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Interpersonal problems and personality features as mediators between attachment and intimate partner violence
David M Lawson1, Daniel F Brossart
1Department of Human Services, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962-3019, USA. lawsondm@sfasu.edu
Violence and Victims
|July 19, 2013
Summary
Hostile dominant interpersonal problems mediate the link between attachment styles and intimate partner violence (IPV) in male abusers. Avoidant attachment, in particular, predicts IPV through these interpersonal issues.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Social Science
Background:
- Attachment theory explains relationship dynamics.
- Interpersonal problems and personality features are linked to intimate partner violence (IPV).
- Understanding mediators between attachment and IPV is crucial for male abusers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if hostile dominant interpersonal problems (HDIP), antisocial, and borderline features mediate the attachment-IPV relationship in male abusers.
- To differentiate the mediating roles of interpersonal vs. personality constructs.
Main Methods:
- Path analysis was used with a sample of 132 male partner abusers.
- Two models were tested: one with avoidant attachment and one with anxious attachment as predictors.
- HDIP, antisocial features, and borderline features were examined as mediators of IPV.
Main Results:
- Attachment significantly predicted all mediators (HDIP, antisocial, borderline features).
- Only HDIP significantly predicted IPV in both models.
- Avoidant attachment, mediated by HDIP, showed a significant indirect effect on IPV.
Conclusions:
- HDIP is a key mediator between attachment (especially avoidant) and IPV in male abusers.
- Interpersonal constructs may be more clinically relevant targets than personality constructs for male partner abusers.
- Attachment insecurity may lead to coercive conflict resolution and aggression in abusive men.
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