In this meta‐analysis, we examine attachment styles—something commonly incorporated into couples therapy—and their association with physical intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and victimization among men and women. This meta‐analysis incorporated 33 studies that looked at the association between four different attachment styles and IPV. This study examined the strength of the correlation among different attachment styles and IPV perpetration and victimization, examined gender differences in the strength of the association among attachment styles and IPV, and compared the strength of the association with IPV among different attachment styles. We found that anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, and disorganized attachment styles were all significantly associated with physical IPV perpetration and victimization. Secure attachment was significantly negatively related to IPV perpetration and victimization. There was a significantly stronger association between avoidant attachment and IPV victimization for women compared to men. Clinical implications related to the importance of fostering secure attachments when working with couples or individuals who have experienced IPV are addressed.

No abstract

Black women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at higher rates than White women, and are more likely to experience more serious injuries, serious mental health diagnoses, or even death as consequences of IPV. Most research on factors associated with physical IPV does not primarily focus on Black women experiencing IPV. To be able to offer targeted intervention and prevention services, understanding unique correlates is critical. To address these discrepancies and better conceptualize factors associated with IPV for Black women, a meta-analysis was conducted to examine correlates for male physical IPV perpetration/female IPV victimization among predominantly Black samples. Next, strengths of correlates for male IPV perpetration/female IPV victimization were compared between Black and White samples. From an original pool of 759 articles examining correlates for IPV perpetration and victimization, 21 articles were usable that had a sufficient percentage (at least 75%) of Black participants and 80 articles that had a sufficient percentage (at least 75%) of White participants. Five significant correlates for male perpetration and seven significant correlates for female victimization in predominantly Black samples were identified. Comparisons for male perpetration/female victimization between predominantly White and Black samples were conducted for nine correlates, and one-third of these correlates (male emotional abuse

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive issue, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been speculated that the prevalence rates of IPV increased. This paper aims to understand how pandemic-specific distress was related to experiencing and perpetrating IPV. Using self-reported survey data from 371 individuals living in the United States, this study used multiple logistic regressions to examine how reports of distress related to working from home, working outside the home, isolation, stay-at-home orders, mask mandates, physical and mental health, finances, interpersonal relationships, taking care of children, and online learning for children, as well as reports of partner conflict regarding COVID-19, were associated with physical, psychological, and sexual IPV perpetration and victimization. Our results indicated that distress related to family relationships, taking care of children, and COVID-19 as a source of conflict were all associated with an increased risk of IPV victimization, while distress related to mask mandates and friendships was associated with a decreased risk. Distress related to physical health, family relationships, taking care of children, and COVID-19 being a source of conflict were associated with an increased risk of IPV perpetration, while distress related to mental health and friendships was associated with a decreased risk. Implications for researchers and clinicians are discussed.

Approximately 50% of both men and women will experience emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime—a form of violence highly associated with other forms of IPV—making it important to develop further understanding of for assessment and treatment purposes. The bio-psycho-social model was used to guide the study. Utilizing data from 181 studies, yielding 348 effect sizes, we conducted a meta-analysis examining mental and physical health correlates with emotional IPV perpetration and victimization. We also examined if mental and physical health correlates were significantly stronger for emotional IPV perpetration or victimization, as well as if correlates were stronger for men or women. Suicidal ideation, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, borderline personality disorder (PD), psychological distress, physical pain, trauma, anger, shame, poor physical health, antisocial PD, and somatic symptoms were significantly associated with emotional IPV victimization. Borderline PD, narcissism, emotional dysregulation, anger, post-traumatic stress, antisocial PD, psychopathy, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and trauma were significantly associated with emotional IPV perpetration. Anger, emotional dysregulation, and psychopathology were stronger correlates for emotional IPV perpetration compared to victimization, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological distress were stronger correlates for victimization. PTSD and suicidal ideation were stronger correlates of IPV victimization for women than men, and anger was a significantly stronger correlate of IPV perpetration for women than men. This study highlights the importance of a holistic approach when working with victims and perpetrators of IPV, focusing on the importance of taking all aspects of the bio-psycho-social model into account.