An Investigation of the Effects of Trauma, Attachment Styles, and Resilience, on Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global problem affecting men and women and therefore, there is interest in research that explores factors that increase the risks of perpetration and victimisation. The purpose of this investigation was to explore whether traumatic experiences and attachment predict IPV and to examine the role of resilience on IPV. In addition, sex-differences were explored. For the purpose of these studies, traumatic experiences included crime-related events, general disasters, unwanted sexual experiences and unwanted physical experiences. Study 1 explored the impact of traumatic experiences on IPV perpetration and victimisation, for both and women. Study 2 examined attachment security/insecurity on IPV perpetration and victimisation, and the role of resilience. Attachment elements included avoidant and anxious attachment style, with mother, father, and partner. Participants from the University of Central Lancashire were recruited on campus, and the general public were recruited using online questionnaires. Both studies recruited a sample of 246 participants each and data was analysed using correlational and regression analyses. Study 1 found some associations between trauma and IPV, and that some trauma types also predicted IPV perpetration and victimisation. Also, no sex-differences were found for perpetration or victimisation. Study 2 found some associations between attachment security/insecurity and IPV, and that attachment types predicted some forms of IPV perpetration and victimisation. Also, results showed that resilience was negatively significantly associated with physical IPV perpetration and sexual coercion victimisation. The implication of these findings are that identifying and addressing history of trauma experiences and insecure attachment styles, may prevent the risk of IPV perpetration and victimisation.