The mediating role of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between family of origin violence and intimate partner violence

Abstract

The effects of family of origin violence and intimate partner violence have been extensively documented; however, very few studies have examined the interaction with emotion regulation strategies. Thus, the objective of this research was to analyze whether different types of emotion regulation strategies, both adaptive and maladaptive, mediate the relationship between family of origin violence and intimate partner violence in the Mexican population. A total of 838 participants (45.9% men and 54.1% women) responded to instruments addressing family of origin violence, emotion regulation strategies, and intimate partner violence. The results revealed that both structural models were significant. For women, the model showed an adequate fit X2 (11, N = 838) = 22.75, p = .288, GFI = .95, AGFI = .91, NFI = .98, CFI = .97, RMSEA = .05. Likewise, we found similar indexes for men X2 (11, N = 838) = 28.20, p = .348, GFI = .97, AGFI = .93, NFI = .97, CFI = .95, RMSEA = .04. Specifically, the direct effects of adaptive strategies on intimate partner violence were statistically significant. Meanwhile, the direct effects of family of origin violence on maladaptive emotion regulation strategies were significant, as were the direct effects of maladaptive strategies on intimate partner violence. In turn, the indirect effects of family of-origin violence were significantly related to intimate partner violence via maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. In addition, the results clearly showed that men reported higher levels of aggression against women. Finally, regarding the selection of emotion regulation strategies, while women employed more adaptive emotion regulation, men showed a more definite tendency to use maladaptive emotion regulation.

Stressful life events: Typology of aggression and mistreatment in male perpetrators of gender‐based violence

“…Likewise, it is important to know the influence of SLEs on the abuse perpetrated against the partner according to profiles, as determined by SLEs suffered throughout the life cycle. It must also be taken into account that violence‐related SLEs, especially if they occur in the early stages of development, can lead to the normalization of aggression in the individual through the process of social learning (Brown et al ., 2017; Orozco‐Vargas et al ., 2021; Rivas, Bonilla, & Vázquez, 2020). The present study has identified profiles based on SLEs with the aim of establishing the relationship of these profiles with the type and severity of violence perpetrated against women.…”

“…A significant and widely documented risk factor for GBV is violence in the family of origin. This can increase the probability of occurrence by 2 to 4 times (Orozco‐Vargas, Venebra‐Muñoz, Aguilera‐Reyes, & García‐López, 2021). Such adverse experiences are sometimes referred to as stressful life events (SLEs).…”

“…These can result in significant changes in the lives of sufferers and have a strong impact on their subsequent life trajectories (Grant et al ., 2003; Hughes et al ., 2017). When minors are exposed either directly or indirectly to SLEs, particularly violent ones, the consequences can be very serious, for instance, intergenerational transmission of violence (Orozco‐Vargas et al ., 2021). Recent studies have shown that a couple relationship is a dynamic system in which behaviors are the result of the developmental characteristics of either party and the factors that have influenced their behavior (Hammett, Karney, & Bradbury, 2020).…”