Violence against Women: Attachment, Psychopathology, and Beliefs in Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a violation of women’s human rights. Attachment is an IPV risk or vulnerability factor, in part because of the role that it plays in interpersonal relationships. An insecure attachment can predispose women victims to psychological maladjustment, which can reflect psychopathology. Likewise, our general society reveals beliefs that support and legitimize IPV. Thus, this study examined the relationship between adult attachment, psychopathology, and IPV beliefs. Our sample comprises 158 women IPV victims, aged between 18 and 73 years old. The psychological assessment tools Experiences in Close Relationships, Brief Symptom Inventory, and Scale of Beliefs about Marital Violence were used. All ethical issues had been taken due to the sensitive nature of the involved data. The results showed that most victims had a secure attachment style, and it may be an indicator that these women possibly had safe experiences with an attachment figure leading to reduced anxious state attachment in adult relationships. The results show a positive association between adult attachment and psychopathology, as well as between attachment and beliefs about violence. Globally, attachment is related to psychopathology and IPV beliefs. These results allow aid professionals and institutions to have deep knowledge about adult attachment as a risk or vulnerability factor for IPV and the adverse consequences of this phenomenon. IPV requires urgent attention since is the greatest threat to the health and safety of women around the world.