Conceptualising intimate partner violence perpetrators' cognition as aggressive relational schemas

Early maladaptive schemas and intimate partner violence victimization and perpetration: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…It therefore has some similarities with the Mistrust Abuse schema in that both schemas encompass fear that one's safety is under threat, but Vulnerability to Harm is more global or generalized (e.g., environmental disasters). Senkans et al (2020) similarly observed that many aggressive relational schemas relate to “dangerous world” beliefs, not just perceptions of self‐other. More research is needed to elucidate the role of this schema in IPV.…”

“…Both partners in the couple dyad bring developmental characteristics, beliefs, and behavioural patterns to the relationship (ontogenetic factors) that shape their responses to stressors in the exosystem and microsystem (Spencer, Stith, & Cafferky, 2019; Stith et al, 2004). Dominant theories on the aetiology of IPV have identified important social and cultural risk factors within the exosystem and microsystem (Chesworth, 2018; Kelly, 2011) but have given less theoretical and research attention to ontogenetic factors, such as cognitions (Senkans et al, 2020). Cognitive factors may be implicated in both IPV victimization and perpetration and are ideal targets for intervention as they are modifiable (Spencer, Stith, & Cafferky, 2019; Stith et al, 2004).…”

“…For example, an individual with the Mistrust Abuse schema (“Other people will harm, abuse, or take advantage of me”) may surrender to this schema by selecting or tolerating partners that are abusive or untrustworthy (Hassija et al, 2018; Young et al, 2003). Alternatively, individuals with this schema may perpetrate violence if they perceive their partners as having hostile intentions and over‐compensate by using controlling and abusive behaviours (Hassija et al, 2018; Senkans et al, 2020; Young et al, 2003).…”

“…From this perspective, difficulties with trust may contribute to biased interpretations of the intentions of others, which can increase the risk of a violent or aggressive response (Murphy et al, 2014). In support of this argument, Senkans et al (2020) recently completed a conceptual review that applied SIP to IPV perpetration and proposed that perpetrators possess aggressive‐relational schemas (e.g., others are hostile and untrustworthy) that predispose them to perceiving that the other person is intending to provoke them or cause them harm.…”

Understanding intimate partner violence in context: social and community correlates of special and general victimization

“…For instance, IPV-supportive attitudes, such as misogynistic values (e.g. Senkans et al, 2020), could explain men's specialization in IPV and prevent both perpetration and victimization from 'spreading' to other crime types. The evolutionary perspective, on the other hand, sees male-perpetrated IPV as a form of mate guarding (e.g.…”