A Dyadic Analysis of Partner Violence and Adult Attachment: An Application of the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model
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Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is generally thought of as a crime against women (Banks, Kini, & Babcock, 2013; Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). However, there is mounting evidence that suggests high rates of bidirectional violence in which both the man and female partner perpetrate acts of physical aggression (Langhinrichsen-Rohling, Misra, Selwyn, & Rohling, 2012; Schafer, Caetano, & Clark, 1998; Straus & Gelles, 1986). Insecure attachment orientation has consistently been linked to individual IPV perpetration directly (Babcock, Jacobson, Gottman, & Yerington, 2000; Holtzworth-Munroe, Stuart, & Hutchinson, 1997; Kesner & McKenry, 1998), or through mediating or moderating variables (Fournier, Brassard, & Shaver, 2011; Mauricio & Gormley, 2001; Scott & Babcock, 2010). However, studies of individuals have limitations because they do not take into account the dynamic nature of adult romantic relationships on the maintenance of IPV, identifying instead one perpetrator and one victim. The current study utilizes the structural equation model version of the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM; Kenny, 1996) to examine how partners' attachment characteristics influence the maintenance of each other's partner violence. Results from the current study suggest that attachment characteristics of both partners influence each other to maintain IPV.