NCJ Number
212695
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2005 Pages: 211-217
Date Published
August 2005
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study investigated levels of interpersonal dependency, an indicator of insecure attachment in adulthood, among batterers court-mandated into domestic violence treatment.
Abstract
In an effort to develop theories about the development of abusive behaviors relevant to different types of abusers, as well as to improve intervention efforts for batterers, some studies have begun to explore the role of attachment theory in explaining the development of abusive behaviors among men in treatment. Research shows that excessive interpersonal dependency among abusive men is viewed as a consequence of insecure attachment in childhood. In further examination of the role of attachment theory in explaining the development of violence, this study investigated levels of interpersonal dependency, an indicator of insecure attachment in adulthood, in court-mandated batterers. The study involved 2 groups of men; batterers (n=158) court-ordered into treatment and non-batterers (n=25) with no identified history of domestic violence. Results of the study failed to provide empirical support for the hypothesis that court-ordered batterers would display levels of interpersonal dependency in their primary relationship similar to nonviolent men. The findings suggest that court-mandated batterers are similar to voluntary batterers in terms of interpersonal dependency, indicating that, similar to violent men who volunteer for treatment, the court-mandated batterers in this sample were overly dependent on their intimate partners. Tables, references