The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation, Separation Anxiety and Impulsivity as Predictors of Women’s Intimate Partner Violence Experiences

Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) are at heightened risk for developing posttraumatic stress (PTS). Emotion dysregulation has been linked to both IPV and PTS, separately, however, unknown is the role of emotion dysregulation in the relation of IPV to PTS among women who experience IPV. Moreover, existing investigations in this area have been limited in their focus on negative emotion dysregulation. Extending prior research, this study investigated whether physical, sexual, and psychological IPV were indirectly associated with PTS symptom severity through negative and positive emotion dysregulation. Participants were 354 women who reported a history of IPV recruited from Amazon’s MTurk platform ( Mage = 36.52, 79.9% white). Participants completed self-report measures assessing physical (Conflict Tactics Scale), sexual (Sexual Experiences Scale), and psychological (Psychological Maltreatment of Women) IPV; negative (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale) and positive (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Positive) emotion dysregulation; and PTS symptom severity (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) via an online survey. Pearson’s correlation coefficients examined intercorrelations among the primary study variables. Indirect effect analyses were conducted to determine if negative and positive emotion dysregulation explained the relations between physical, sexual, and psychological IPV and PTS symptom severity. Physical, sexual, and psychological IPV were significantly positively associated with both negative and positive emotion dysregulation as well as PTS symptom severity, with the exception that psychological IPV was not significantly associated with positive emotion dysregulation. Moreover, negative and positive emotion dysregulation accounted for the relationships between all three IPV types and PTS symptom severity, with the exception of positive emotion dysregulation and psychological IPV. Our findings provide support for the potential underlying role of both negative and positive emotion dysregulation in the associations of IPV types to PTS symptom severity. Negative and positive emotion dysregulation may be important factors to integrate into interventions for PTS among women who experience IPV.

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Masculine Discrepancy Stress, Emotion-Regulation Difficulties, and Intimate Partner Violence

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260516650967 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 1163-1182 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Danielle S. Berke ◽

Dennis E. Reidy ◽

Brittany Gentile ◽

Amos Zeichner

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Emotional States ◽

Difficulties In Emotion Regulation ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of ◽

Ipv Perpetration ◽

Men's Experience

Research suggests that masculine socialization processes contribute to the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) by men. Although this research has traditionally focused on men who strongly adhere to traditional gender norms, men who negatively evaluate themselves as falling short of these norms (a construct termed masculine discrepancy stress) have proven to be at increased risk of IPV perpetration. Likewise, men experiencing problems with emotion regulation, a multidimensional construct reflecting difficulties in effectively experiencing and responding to emotional states, are also at risk of IPV perpetration. In the present research, we tested the hypothesis that the link between discrepancy stress and IPV perpetration is mediated via difficulties in emotion regulation. Three hundred fifty-seven men completed online surveys assessing their experience of discrepancy stress, emotion-regulation difficulties, and history of IPV perpetration. Results indicated that discrepancy-stressed men’s use of physical IPV was fully mediated by emotion-regulation difficulties. In addition, emotion-regulation difficulties partially mediated the association between discrepancy stress and sexual IPV. Findings are discussed in terms of the potential utility of emotion-focused interventions for modifying men’s experience and expression of discrepancy stress and reducing perpetration of IPV.

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An Exploration of the Mediators Between Childhood Maltreatment and Intimate Partner Violence

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-15-00084 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 567-583 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Elizabeth J. Smyth ◽

Frank L. Gardner ◽

Donald R. Marks ◽

Zella E. Moore

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Physical Aggression ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Early Maladaptive Schemas ◽

Maladaptive Schemas ◽

Difficulties In Emotion Regulation ◽

The Relationship

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with numerous long-term consequences and warrants significant clinical attention. Recent theoretical models and empirical research have suggested that several factors play a role in the development of IPV perpetration, including childhood maltreatment, early maladaptive schemas, anger, and difficulties in emotion regulation. This study investigated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and IPV, specifically examining the mediation of this relationship by several variables thought to be related to this pernicious problem, including early maladaptive schemas, the experience of anger, and emotion regulation difficulties. In a young adult collegiate sample of 110 women in relationships, results of a bootstrapped multiple mediation analysis supported the hypothesis that childhood maltreatment predicted physical aggression within intimate partner relationships and found that the total indirect effect of childhood maltreatment on physical aggression through the 3 proposed mediators was significant. However, consistent with recent empirical findings, only difficulties in emotion regulation significantly mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and physical aggression within the sample.

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Concurrent Treatment of Intimate Partner Violence and Trichotillomania From an Emotion Regulation Framework: A Case Study

Clinical Case Studies ◽

10.1177/1534650120964581 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 153465012096458

Author(s):

Jena B. Casas ◽

Daniel R. Szoke ◽

Lorraine T. Benuto

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Coping Mechanisms ◽

Emotional Dysregulation ◽

Repetitive Behaviors ◽

Concurrent Treatment

Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) experience a vast array of emotional and behavioral consequences, including difficulties in areas related to emotion regulation, and they often qualify for comorbid psychological diagnoses. Although a modified version of DBT has been examined as a treatment for survivors of IPV experiencing emotional dysregulation, there has been little mention of how to treat comorbid disorders among this population. Given that body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRB’s), such as trichotillomania, can be conceptualized as poor coping mechanisms to soothe dysregulated emotions, it seems beneficial to understand how to treat these diagnoses in the context of IPV sequelae. To date, there are limited examinations of DBT enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy for those suffering from IPV exposure and trichotillomania. The following case provides a successful example for how and why such therapy can be conducted for the treatment of comorbid diagnoses following IPV exposure.

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Understanding Forgiveness After Leaving an Abusive Relationship: The Voices of Chinese Female Intimate Partner Violence Survivors

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/1077801220952164 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 107780122095216

Author(s):

Qinglu Wu ◽

Ling Wang ◽

Anna Wai-Man Choi

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Chinese Women ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Abusive Relationship ◽

Cognitive Reframing

Forgiveness is known to play an important role in recovery studies of female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors. However, survivors’ understanding of forgiveness remains unclear. This study explored forgiveness through semi-structured interviews with 25 Chinese women. The results indicate that forgiveness is an unintended process that comprises the alleviation of a grudge held against former partners and a reframed understanding of them. It does not involve reconciliation. Moreover, establishment of clear boundaries is a precondition for forgiveness. The findings supplement knowledge on forgiveness and the importance of cognitive reframing, emotion regulation, and establishing clear boundaries in forgiveness and recovery.

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Romantic Attachment and Physical Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration in a Chilean Sample: The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Difficulties

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-14-00114 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (5) ◽

pp. 854-868 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mónica Guzmán-González ◽

Marie-France Lafontaine ◽

Christine Levesque

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Romantic Attachment ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Physical Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Violence Perpetration

Despite evidence that adult attachment insecurity has been linked to the perpetration of physical intimate violence, the mechanisms underlying this link need further exploration. The goal of this study was to evaluate the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the association between romantic attachment and the use of physical intimate partner violence. To this end, 611 students recruited from Chilean universities completed the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses revealed that emotion regulation difficulties mediated the relationship between dimensions of romantic attachment (anxiety over abandonment and avoidance of intimacy) and physical violence perpetration among both male and female participants. Implications for future research and clinical practice are presented herein.

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Assessing Resilience in Preschool Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.25.2.150 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 150-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 72

Author(s):

Kathryn H. Howell ◽

Sandra A. Graham-Bermann ◽

Ewa Czyz ◽

Michelle Lilly

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Maternal Mental Health ◽

Conduct Problem ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Preschool Age ◽

Prosocial Skills ◽

Skill Scores

This study examined why some preschool-age children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) showed deleterious outcomes and others appeared more resilient. Resilience, conceptualized as strengths in emotion regulation and prosocial skills, was evaluated using the Social Competence Scale developed by the Conduct Problem Prevention Research Group. The sample consisted of 56 mothers and their 4- to 6-year-old children exposed to IPV within the past 2 years. After controlling for relevant demographic factors, hierarchical regression analyses indicated that better parenting performance, fewer maternal mental health problems, and less severe violence exposure predicted better emotion regulation and prosocial skill scores, which in turn were negatively correlated with maladaptive child behaviors. These findings can be used to inform and enhance clinical services for children exposed to IPV.

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Relationships Between Maternal Emotion Regulation, Parenting, and Children’s Executive Functioning in Families Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260512445385 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 27 (17) ◽

pp. 3532-3550 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Kristin W. Samuelson ◽

Casey E. Krueger ◽

Christina Wilson

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Executive Functioning ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner

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Frontal alpha asymmetry in alcohol-related intimate partner violence

Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience ◽

10.1093/scan/nsz101 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (11) ◽

pp. 1209-1217

Author(s):

Brandi C Fink ◽

Breannan C Howell ◽

Sarah Salway ◽

James F Cavanagh ◽

Derek A Hamilton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Alcohol Intoxication ◽

Anger Expression ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Acute Alcohol Intoxication ◽

Alpha Asymmetry ◽

Frontal Alpha Asymmetry ◽

Partner Types

Abstract Electroencephalographic (EEG) frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) has been associated with differences in the experience and expression of emotion, motivation and anger in normal and clinical populations. The current study is the first to investigate FAA in alcohol-related intimate partner violence. EEG was recorded from 23 distressed violent (DV) and 15 distressed nonviolent (DNV) partners during a placebo-controlled alcohol administration and emotion-regulation study. The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2 was used to evaluate anger experiences and was collected from both participants and their partners. During baseline, acute alcohol intoxication DV partners had significantly greater right FAA, whereas DNV partners showed greater left FAA. Both partner types demonstrated significantly greater right FAA during the placebo beverage condition of the emotion-regulation task when viewing evocative partner displays of contempt, belligerence, criticism, defensiveness and stonewalling, but greater left FAA during acute alcohol intoxication. Although no group differences were found in the emotion-regulation task, partner self-reported anger experiences accounted for 67% of the variance in the FAA of DV participants when intoxicated and viewing evocative stimuli, suggesting dyadic processes are important in understanding alcohol-related IPV. These findings suggest that FAA could index the affective and motivational determinants through which alcohol is related to IPV.

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Effects of emotion regulation and perpetrator-victim roles in intimate partner violence on mental health problems among men who have sex with men in China

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796020000712 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

Author(s):

D. Wei ◽

F. Hou ◽

W. Cao ◽

C. Hao ◽

J. Gu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Health Problems ◽

General Mental Health ◽

Sex With Men

Abstract Aims This study assessed the relationships between different perpetrator-victim roles in intimate partner violence (IPV), emotion regulation (ER) and mental health problems among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Methods From April to June 2019, 1233 participants were approached via gay-friendly non-governmental organisations in 15 cities across mainland China. Results Of the total, 578 eligible participants completed an anonymous online survey. All participants provided informed consent and information about their violent perpetrator-victim role and mental health status. The results revealed a high prevalence of IPV in this study sample, with 32.7% of participants reporting IPV victimisation and 32.5% of participants reporting IPV perpetration during their lifetime. A total of 81 (14.0%) participants were suicidal, 309 (53.5%) participants reported poor general mental health and 208 (36.0%) had significant depressive symptoms. Adjusted logistic regression models revealed that both physical victimisation (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] = 3.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11–9.32) and sexual victimisation (ORa = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.39–6.05) had positive associations with suicidality, and unidirectional and bidirectional psychological perpetration were associated with poor general mental health and significant depressive symptoms. Although high cognitive reappraisal showed a negative association with poor general mental health (ORa = 0.89，95% CI = 0.86–0.92), the correlation with victims of IPV was weaker than it was with non-victims. Conclusions This study revealed that different perpetrator-victim roles in different IPV situations should be considered comprehensively in research, prevention and intervention. ER is not enough to buffer the effects of IPV on the mental health of MSM victims.

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