NCJ Number
212996
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 20 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2005 Pages: 349-361
Date Published
December 2005
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examined the role of anger in moderating the relationship between romantic attachment and intimate partner violence.
Abstract
The findings suggest strong support for the hypothesis that the experience and expression of anger within an intimate relationship moderates the association between romantic attachment and intimate violence. Practical implications of the results relate to the finding that men and women use intimate partner violence in unique and particular ways. Therapy for violent couples could focus on restructuring the relationship. Main study conclusions indicated: (1) the experience and expression of anger in intimate partner relationships were related to anxiety over abandonment and avoidance of intimacy for both males and females; (2) the link between insecure attachment and intimate partner violence was different for men and women in that men used different forms of violence to reject partners’ attempts at closeness while women use violence in a dysfunctional attempt to keep partners close; (3) male avoidance of intimacy led to the dysfunctional experience of anger, resulting in intimate psychological abuse; and (4) male anxiety over abandonment influenced their engagement in physical violence towards intimate partners. Participants were 316 French-Canadian heterosexual couples who had been married or cohabiting for at least 6 months and were recruited via home survey across the Province of Quebec. Survey questionnaires included the Experiences in Close Relationships, a couple version of the State-Trait Anger Inventory, and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales. Multiple regression analyses were used to analyze whether the experience and expression of anger in couples predicted intimate violence for males and females. Tables, figure, references