Relationship Between Intimate Partner Violence, Depressive Symptomatology, and Personality Traits

• NCJ Number: 245457
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Dated: May 2013 Pages: 369-379
• Author(s): Anna Torres; Lluïsa Garcia-Esteve; Purificación Navarro; Maria J. Tarragona; Maria L. Imaz; Carlos Ascaso; Estel Gelabert; Anna Plaza; Susana Subirà; Manuel Valdés; Rocío Martín-Santos
• Date Published: May 2013
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and personality disorder symptoms controlling for depressive state.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and personality disorder symptoms controlling for depressive state. Victims of IPV (n=176) and non-abused women (n=193) completed the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology-Basic Questionnaire (DAPP-BQ), Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). IPV victims scored higher than non-abused women on Intimacy Problems, and scored lower on Rejection traits, after adjustment for depressive symptoms. Severity of the IPV was related to Cognitive Distortion, Suspiciousness, Restricted Expression, and Intimacy Problems, and the length of the IPV was negatively associated with Rejection. The current study suggests only modest differences in personality traits between IPV and non-abused women. The DAPP-BQ traits associated with severity of IPV, in a dose-response manner, would partially reflect the symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), although this possibility deserves further study. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.