Interpersonal Problems and Family Relations as Mediators Between Attachment and Female-Perpetrated Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

The current research explored whether interpersonal problems (IP) and family of origin relations mediate the association between attachment dimensions and intimate partner violence (IPV). The participants included 55 females in treatment for IPV as part of their probation. We examined the mediation relationships using a bootstrapping multiple mediation method. Results indicated that IP but not family type, significantly mediated the relationship between avoidant attachment, but not anxious attachment and IPV. Greater attachment avoidance was associated with higher levels of IP, which in turn, were associated with higher physical violence toward an intimate male partner. Several alternative models were tested resulting in nonsignificant mediation analyses, thus, lending support to the validity of the attachment avoidant mediation model. Suggestions were offered for treatment relevant to the results.