Acceptability of Intimate Partner Violence among Male Offenders: The Role of Set-Shifting and Emotion Decoding Dysfunctions as Cognitive Risk Factors.

Ángel Romero-Martínez,Luis Moya-Albiol,Enrique Gracia,Christina M Rodriguez,Marisol Lila

doi:10.3390/ijerph16091537

Abstract

Attitudes towards the acceptability of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) contribute to an increased risk of IPVAW perpetration, and these attitudes are common among IPVAW offenders. Research suggests that IPVAW offenders present cognitive deficits related to information processing. Little is known, however, about how these deficits are related to the acceptability of IPVAW. The main aim of this study was to explore the relationship between specific cognitive deficits (i.e., deficits in attention switching, set-shifting, and emotion decoding abilities) and the acceptability of IPVAW in a sample of 84 IPVAW offenders. Results revealed that IPVAW offenders with deficits in attention switching, set-shifting, and emotion decoding abilities demonstrated greater acceptability of IPVAW, and these relationships remained significant after controlling for socio-demographic variables (i.e., age and educational level) and drug consumption. These results highlight the role of cognitive processes in maintaining attitudes of acceptability of IPVAW. Thus, the findings may guide professionals in developing specific intervention programs focused on improving cognitive abilities, in order to reduce the acceptability of IPVAW.

Highlights

Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is a major public health problem and a violation of human rights of epidemic proportions
The current study examines the relationship between information processing deficits, such as attention switching, set-shifting, and emotion decoding abilities, and attitudes of acceptability of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW), while controlling for the effects of age, educational level, and drug abuse
The current study evaluated whether cognitive deficits are associated with more favorable IPVAW

Summary

Introduction

Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is a major public health problem and a violation of human rights of epidemic proportions. The lifetime prevalence of IPVAW in Western countries is estimated to be around 23% [7], ranging in the European Union between 13 and 32% [8,9]. The lifetime prevalence in Spain, where this study was conducted, is estimated to be around 13% [8,10,11]. The acceptability of violence in intimate relationships is one of the most relevant attitudes associated with the perpetration of IPVAW. As Martín-Fernández et al noted, “high levels of acceptability of IPVAW can lead to the perception of this type of behavior as normative, increasing the risk of men perpetrating

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