Cluster B Personality Traits and Psychological Intimate Partner Violence: Considering the Mediational Role of Alcohol

Abstract

The study of intimate partner violence (IPV) has evolved into more complex and integrative models to better understand the explanatory mechanisms of IPV perpetration. Nevertheless, integrative models rarely permit an in-depth analysis of a large number of relevant variables, and more specific approximations are required as basis of them. In this sense, the individual approach is the most productive research line. From the individual perspective and using data from imprisoned male offenders, the present study aimed to analyze the potential mediating role of alcohol dependence in the association of Cluster B personality traits and psychological IPV. The sample included 196 male inmates of the Penitentiary Center of Villabona (Asturias, Spain). Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothetical and alternative models. First, model results only showed an indirect effect of antisocial and borderline personalities mediated by alcohol dependence. Nevertheless, fitting of the model to the data was poor. Second, a fully saturated model was calculated, revealing a direct effect of histrionic personality on psychological IPV. Finally, an alternative model was tested adding to first model the direct effect of histrionic personality on psychological IPV. The fitting of the alternative model to the data was good. Antisocial and borderline personalities predicted psychological IPV when mediated by alcohol dependence, while histrionic personality had a direct effect on psychological IPV. Narcissistic personality did not affect psychological IPV. These results support the hypothesis regarding the use of alcohol as a coping mechanism in antisocial and borderline individuals, acting as a disinhibitory factor which increases the likelihood of psychological IPV occurrence. Contrary to previous research, a clear direct effect of histrionic personality and psychological IPV was obtained. This association can be explained by the necessity of attention of histrionic individuals and the type (psychological) of violence studied.

Personality characteristics in specialist and generalist intimate partner violence perpetrators

“…For example, in IPV perpetrators samples from Spain, borderline personality and alcohol problems have been identified as risk factors for IPV (Jose et al, 2014 ). Moreover, some results have shown that the use of alcohol acted as a coping mechanism in antisocial and borderline men which increased the likelihood of psychological IPV occurrence (Juarros‐Basterretxea et al, 2022 ). Although psychological theories have emphasized the importance of individual differences in personality traits of IPV perpetrators to explain IPV (Cameranesi, 2016 ), many studies have been focused on comparing IPV perpetrators with nonviolent men (e.g., Ferrer et al, 2004 ; Holtzworth‐Munroe et al, 1997 ; Holtzworth‐Munroe et al, 2000 ; Okuda et al, 2015 ; Shorey et al, 2012 ).…”

The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model in the Study of Aggression and Victimization within Couples: An Empirical Examination in 361 Dyads

“…There is also empirical evidence of the predictive potential of the aggressive nature of the members of the couple as a candidate to explain episodes of IPV . Alcohol and substance use and abuse have also been empirically linked to IPV (Juarros-Basterretxea et al, 2020;Cafferky et al, 2018, for a metaanalytic review) both at the time of a violent incident and as a distal correlate.…”

Dating Violence Questionnaire for Victimization and Perpetration (DVQ-VP): An Interdependence Analysis of Self-Reports

“…The inclusion of the interdependent nature of DV victimization and perpetration ( Herrero et al, 2020 ; Juarros-Basterretxea et al, in press ) is an innovative approach and contributes to advancing the field by presenting a useful and brief DV perpetration–victimization model formed using empirical evidence misrepresented in much research ( Exner-Cortens et al, 2016b ). Nonetheless, the DVQ-VP possesses the inherent limitations of behavioral measurement instruments ( Hardesty & Ogolski, 2020 ), and it would be beneficial for future research to use it together with other instruments and data collection methods and to test its convergent and divergent validity considering different levels of correlates of IPV ( Dardis et al, 2015 ; Hammock et al, 2017 ; Herrero et al, 2016 , 2018 ; Juarros-Basterretxea et al, 2018 , 2019 , 2020 ). Likewise, it would be convenient to include other information sources and methods to assess real injury ( Vilariño et al, 2018 ) and to verify the victimization and perpetration ( Gancedo et al, 2021 ).…”