Victims Of Psychological Abuse Research Articles

From Endorsement of Ambivalent Sexism to Psychological IPV Victimization: The Role of Attitudes Supportive of IPV, Legitimating Myths of IPV, and Acceptance of Psychological Aggression.

Research on intimate partner violence (IPV) has recognized psychological abuse as a precursor of physical and sexual violence in intimate relationships. However, risk factors in predicting women’s psychological abuse victimization in such a context are still unclear. The goal of the present work was to investigate the role of ambivalent sexism on psychological IPV victimization, by taking into account in the same study the effect of three additional social-psychological factors: women’s (i) attitudes supportive of IPV, (ii) endorsement of legitimating myths of IPV, and (iii) acceptance of psychological aggression in intimate relationships. A total of 408 Italian young women (Mage = 23.87; SD = 2.39) involved in non-marital heterosexual romantic relationships completed measures aimed at assessing (i) hostile and benevolent sexism, (ii) attitudes supportive of IPV, (iii) legitimating myths of IPV, (iv) prevalence of psychological abuse experienced within the last 12 months, and performed a task developed ad hoc to measure, and (v) acceptance of psychological aggression in intimate relationships. Results showed that the effect of ambivalent sexism on participants’ prevalence of psychological abuse was mediated by the endorsement of attitudes supportive of IPV and legitimating myths of IPV, as well as by acceptance of psychological aggression. Findings are discussed based on literature about ambivalent sexism, and attitudes and beliefs about IPV.

Perspective Taking Ability in Psychologically Maltreated Children: A Protective Factor in Peer Social Adjustment.

Perspective taking is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct characterized by three components: cognitive, affective, and visual. The experience of psychological maltreatment impairs the child’s emotional competence; in particular, maltreated children present difficulty in understanding and regulating emotions and in social understanding ability. In addition, the literature contains several contributions that highlight maladaptive behaviors of children with a history of maltreatment in peer interactions in the school context. Perspective taking ability has rarely been studied in maltreated children and the existing studies have produced different and often conflicting results that require further insights. On the grounds of these premises, the main objective of the present research is to investigate perspective taking ability in preschool children from maltreating and non-maltreating family contexts and its role in social adjustment, in terms of prosocial and aggressive behavior toward peers inside the kindergarten. A second objective is to verify the effectiveness of a training aimed to promote perspective taking ability in victims of psychological maltreatment. This research, organized into two separate studies, involved 249 preschool children: 206 children from non-maltreating family contexts and 43 brought up in psychologically maltreating families. Perspective taking was measured via the administration of several tests, and prosocial behavior and aggressiveness were observed via non-participant observations in the school context. The training involved maltreated children in small-group meetings based on familiar and appealing activities within the mother–child community. The overall results show that children’s perspective taking ability, in particular the affective perspective taking, contributed to social adjustment. In fact, greater affective perspective taking ability was correlated to a higher frequency of prosocial behaviors toward peers and minor frequency of aggressiveness. Finally, the results of the training (pre/post-test comparison) showed an increase in perspective taking, especially in the affective dimension, and a consequent increase in prosocial behaviors and a decrease in aggressive ones. Therefore, the affective perspective taking ability seems to represent a very significant protective factor, which should be focused and strengthened in order to improve the social adaptation of preschool children who are victims of psychological abuse.

Types of emotional self-regulation of women who have suffered from psychological abuse in the family

Aim. The aim of the paper is to present the results of research on the types of emotional self-regulation of women who have suffered from psychological abuse in family relations.
 Methods. 140 Ukrainian women who suffered from psychological abuse in the family were interviewed. For the analysis of the obtained results, methods of statistical processing of data were used.
 Results. It has been established that women who were victims of psychological abuse from members of their family may have different types of emotional self-regulation: "Emotionally unstable," "Adaptive," "Spontaneous." It is shown that women with emotionally unstable types of emotional self-regulation are emotionally unstable during psychological abuse in the family, which is manifested in their anxiety, tension, depression, self-criticism. It is said that women who are referred to as having the adaptive type of emotional self-regulation possess a sufficient level of neuropsychic stability and self-control and it has been established that women who are characterized by a spontaneous type of emotional self-regulation, when exposed to psychological abuse, have a low level of self-control, which indicates spontaneity and impulsivity in relationships with others.
 Conclusions. Еmotional self-regulation does not act as a tool to cancel negative experiences, but it is a change in these experiences for other that helps to optimize their condition. Еmotional self-regulation and the ability to manage one's own psychical state for the preservation of mental health are important in the context of psychological abuse in the family. Furthermore, it is emphasised on different types of emotional self-regulation of women in situations of psychological abuse in the family.

Sociodemographic characteristics of gay and lesbian victims of intimate partner psychological abuse in Spain and Latin America / Características sociodemográficas de gais y lesbianas víctimas de abuso psicológico en pareja en España e Hispanoamérica

Psychological abuse in same-sex couples has hardly been studied in Spain and Latin America, despite its importance in society and public health. The objective of this study is to examine the prevalence of psychological abuse in same-sex couples in Spain and Latin America and analyse the associated sociodemographic characteristics. An online survey was conducted with 663 gay and lesbian respondents from Spain and Latin America. Of the total sample, 10.6% reported that they perceived themselves as victims of psychological abuse from their partner (9.6% in gay men and 10.7% in lesbians). In gay men, differences were found between victims and non-victims on the sociodemographic variables of age, professional status, and daily alcohol consumption. In lesbians, significant differences were found between victims and non-victims in the country and professional status variables. When comparing gay and lesbian victims, significant differences were found in professional status and alcohol consumption. This study contributes to better understanding of this phenomenon, and it reveals the need for further research.

Me transformo: efectos de los talleres psicoeducativos y clínicos en mujeres víctimas de abuso psicológico en República Dominicana

El objetivo de este estudio consiste en determinar la relación que existe entre el nivel de asertividad y la ideología de género en mujeres víctimas de abuso psicológico. Cabe destacar que este trabajo es la continuación de una investigación sobre el tema de Asertividad de género en mujeres victimas de abuso psicológico (Liranzo & Moreno, 2017). El estudio tuvo un enfoque mixto y un Diseño Explicativo Secuencial (DEXPLIS), en dos fases. Los instrumentos empleados fueron cuatro escalas: Escala de Abuso Psicológico, Escala de Ideología de Género, Escala de Asertividad y Cuestionario de Evaluación a Víctimas de Violencia Intrafamiliar. Las técnicas de recolección de datos aplicadas fueron los talleres exploratorios y diagnósticos, el diario de campo y la observación participante. Los resultados apuntan a que solo algunas participantes identificaban ser víctimas de abuso psicológico; la mayoría tenía una ideología de género tradicional; en su totalidad, no manifestaron un comportamiento asertivo. Los talleres de intervención clínicos y psicoeducativos demostraron tener un efecto positivo en las participantes en los aspectos de: habilidades comunicativas y asertivas, expresión emocional y modificación de sus actitudes hacia una ideología de género más igualitaria.

Psychological abuse in Spanish same-sex couples: prevalence and relationship between victims and perpetrators

This study investigates the prevalence of psychological abuse victimization in same-sex couples and the relationship between being a victim and a perpetrator of these negative behaviours. The final sample consisted of 107 adults residing in Spain who identified themselves as lesbian women and gay men, and who had been involved in a conflictive same-sex relationship. Participants were asked how frequently they would label their experience of psychological abuse and three different estimation methods were used. Furthermore, the relationship between being a victim and being a perpetrator of psychological abuse behaviours was calculated through the behavioural estimation method using a questionnaire. The results showed that the prevalence rates varied from 11.3% to 56.6%, depending on the estimation method, and they revealed that there was no correlation between receiving and enacting psychological abuse behaviours. The variation in prevalence rates highlights methodological differences that limit the extent to which comparisons can be made across studies. Three estimation methods are introduced to stimulate future research on this issue.

Sleep and Psychological Abuse Among Cohabiting Couples: A Pilot Study

This study explored the relationship between psychological abuse and sleep deprivation among nonclinical cohabiting couples. Thirty-one couples participated in completing a variety of sleep measures, a psychological abuse scale, and a relationship satisfaction survey. Results indicated a persistent relationship between everyday sleep deficits (sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and self-reported total sleep time) and the perceived perpetration and felt victimization of psychological abuse. Overall, results were as hypothesized, but there were gender differences. Male psychological abuse victimization and perpetration were significantly related to sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, but for women, only sleep duration was predictive of felt victimization. The sleep variables were significantly related to women’s—but not men’s—reported relationship satisfaction. Overall, minimal sleep deprivation appears to be related to increased psychological abuse perpetration and victimization even among a normative population scoring outside the clinical range on these measures. Implications for prevention and treatment are discussed.

Asertividad e ideología de género en mujeres víctimas de abuso psicológico

El propósito de esta investigación consiste en relacionar el nivel de asertividad y la ideología de género en mujeres víctimas de abuso psicológico. Igualmente, realizar intervenciones terapéuticas y educativas, a fin de promover cambios comportamentales que eviten a estas mujeres seguir siendo objeto de abuso psicológico. Este primer artículo comprende la fundamentación teórica donde se describe, conceptualiza y explica el abuso psicológico en sus dos tipos, manifiesto y sutil, enmarcado más ampliamente en el fenómeno de la violencia de género. Además, se presentan los conceptos principales y las aportaciones sobre las ideologías de género, tanto la tradicional como la igualitaria, considerando los planteamientos de la teoría del sexismo ambivalente de Glick & Fiske (en Moya, Expósito y Padilla, 2006) como una de las expresiones de la ideología tradicional de género. Del mismo modo, se desarrollan los conceptos de asertividad, incluyendo su relación con la etnopsicología y la cultura. Para finalizar se incluyen las reflexiones teóricas sobre el entrenamiento asertivo como una herramienta para que estas mujeres modifiquen sus creencias y puedan actuar con dominio en todos los ámbitos de sus vidas. Este marco conceptual ha servido como fundamento para la ejecución los Talleres de intervención clínica y psicoeducativa.

The Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Risk of Cancer in Adulthood: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can affect health and well-being across the life course. This systematic review summarizes the literature on associations between ACEs and risk of cancer in adulthood. We searched PubMed to identify relevant publications published on or before May 31, 2015. We included original research quantifying the association between ACEs and adult cancer incidence. Case reports and reviews were excluded. Two reviewers independently abstracted and summarized key information (eg, ACE type, cancer type, risk estimates) from included studies and resolved all discrepancies. Twelve studies were included in the review. In studies in which ACE summary scores were calculated, significant associations were observed between the scores and an increased risk of cancer in adulthood. Of the different types of ACEs examined, physical and psychological abuse victimization were associated with risk of any cancer in 3 and 2 studies, respectively. Two studies also reported significant associations with regard to sexual abuse victimization (1 for cervical cancer and 1 for any cancer). However, 2 other studies reported no significant associations between childhood sexual or physical abuse and incidence of cervical or breast cancer. Because of heterogeneity across studies, we were unable to compute a summary effect estimate. These findings suggest that childhood adversity in various forms may increase a person's cancer risk. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms driving this relationship and to identify opportunities to prevent and mitigate the deleterious effects of early adversity on long-term health.

Psychological Victimization Among College Students

According to the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, approximately 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men will experience stalking, physical violence, and/or rape by an intimate partner in their lifetimes, and almost half of U.S. men and women have been the victim of psychological abuse by an intimate during their lives (Black et al. 2011). These behaviors can be considered as indicative of “coercive control,” a pattern of abusive behavior that can lead a victimized person to feel trapped in an intimate relationship characterized by a loss of power and control (see Stark 2007). Using data from a random stratified sample of 786 undergraduates at a large southeastern university located in a rural area, we examined the relationship between sexual orientation, self-control, alcohol consumption, partying, demographics, prior intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, and psychological IPV among students since attending college. Findings indicate that a greater percentage of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students experience psychological IPV than heterosexual students do, and nonwhite students, those who experienced prior IPV consume alcohol, and who exhibit low self-control are significantly more likely to experience psychological IPV once at college. The implications for policy and practice for rural college students are discussed.

The Link Between Psychological Abuse Victimization and Physical Health in College Students

Victims of intimate partner violence have a wide array of mental and physical health symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological abuse victimization and physical health symptoms among college students. Male and female college students completed a Web-based survey to assess victimization of different forms of psychological abuse, a variety of physical health symptoms, and current academic stressors. Results found that psychological abuse victimization in the form of dominance and intimidation provided incremental predictive power above and beyond that of academic stressors in determining physical health symptoms regarding the stomach and chest, muscles and skeleton, and nervous system. Future investigation of the role of intimate partner psychological victimization on physical health issues in college students is warranted.

The Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among College Students: Focus on Auditory Status and Gender.

Partner violence is a pervasive public health concern that has received significant attention over the past three decades. Although a number of studies have reported that college students who are Deaf or hard of hearing are at an increased risk of experiencing partner violence compared with their hearing counterparts, little is known about partner violence perpetration among college students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Furthermore, beyond disability, studies examining partner violence among students with disabilities tend to ignore other potential risk factors that may increase the risk of partner violence as a victim and/or a perpetrator. This exploratory study examines the extent of partner violence among male and female college students by auditory status and the relationship between experiencing and perpetrating partner abuse (i.e., physical abuse and psychological abuse) and child maltreatment (i.e., witnessing abuse and experiencing child physical abuse). The study also examines gender differences in the relationship between child maltreatment and physical and psychological abuse victimization and perpetration. Data were collected from a sample of approximately 680 college students at a northeastern university. Findings indicate that having witnessed interparental abuse as a child was only significant for being an adult victim of physical abuse. Having been a child victim of parental abuse was not significant for any of the abuse measures. Gender was only significant for being an adult victim of physical abuse. Deaf students were significantly more likely to report all abuse measures. Implications and directions for further research are discussed.

Dating Violence Perpetration and/or Victimization and Associated Sexual Risk Behaviors Among a Sample of Inner-City African American and Hispanic Adolescent Females

The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of physical and psychological dating violence victimization and perpetration reported by inner-city African American and Hispanic adolescent girls as well as associated risky sexual behaviors among this population. Participants in this study were 10th- and 11th-grade female students from seven inner-city Chicago public high schools. Participants were administered with the Safe Dates measures of physical violence victimization, physical violence perpetration, psychological abuse victimization, and psychological perpetration. Approximately half of the sample reported some psychological dating violence victimization and perpetration, and approximately one third reported some physical victimization and perpetration. Hispanic adolescents were significantly more likely to report psychological victimization, whereas African American adolescents were significantly more likely to report physical dating violence perpetration. Victimization was found to predict perpetration in this population, and adolescents who acknowledged being both victims and perpetrators of dating violence were more likely to report having had vaginal sex and a higher number of past-year sexual partners. Inner-city African American and Hispanic adolescent girls may be particularly vulnerable to dating violence victimization and perpetration, which may be due to a number of other social factors not explored within this study. Furthermore, African American adolescent girls continue to engage in behaviors that increase their risk for negative health outcomes, predominantly STIs, highlighting the need for effective interventions with this population.

Patología dual y trastornos mentales en reclusos consumidores de sustancias = Dual pathology and mental disorders in substance-using prisoners

The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of dual pathology and suicide risks in substance-using prisoners and to analyze the factors associated with their development. The sample consisted of 143 prisoners (95.8% male) confined in the prison of Villabona (Asturias, Spain). Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used. Thirty-five percent of inmates were found to have a dual diagnosis and 60.6% of this subsample presented risk of suicide. We found that to have been a childhood victim of physical abuse increases the likelihood of developing substance use disorder, anxiety disorder and/or dual pathology. However, having been a victim of psychological abuse raises the risk of developing mood and psychotic disorders.

Prevalence and Clinical Impact of Childhood Trauma in Patients With Severe Mental Disorders

A high prevalence of childhood abuse has been reported in patients with severe mental illness. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 102 patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. Social, demographic, and clinical data were obtained. Patients were evaluated using Brief Psychotic Relative Scale, and Traumatic Life Events and Distressing Event questionnaires. Almost half (47.5%) of these patients had suffered some kind of child abuse, and our results confirmed a relationship between a history of childhood abuse and more severe psychosis. Diagnosis of schizophrenia was determined 4.1 years earlier in victims of childhood abuse. Hospital admissions were twice as high in victims of psychological abuse. Patients with a history of sexual abuse were more than twice as likely to attempt suicide (68% vs. 28.9%).

Psychiatric and Cognitive Functioning in Adolescent Inpatients with Histories of Dating Violence Victimization

The presence of dating violence victimization as well as its relation to psychiatric diagnosis and cognitive processes was examined in a sample of 155 adolescents hospitalized in a psychiatric facility. Participants and their parents completed semistructured diagnostic interviews. Participants also completed self-report measures of dating violence victimization and cognitive functioning. Seventy-seven percent of adolescents who had initiated dating reported psychological, physical, sexual abuse, or some combination by a dating partner over the past year. Victims of psychological abuse alone as well as physical or sexual violence endorsed higher rates of major depressive disorder compared to nonvictims. Physical and sexual dating violence victims also endorsed significantly higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorders, more frequent cooccurrence of externalizing and internalizing disorders, and more frequent negative cognitive biases, relative to nonvictimized adolescents. Findings suggest that psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents with dating violence histories represent a subgroup of adolescent inpatients with a particularly serious clinical picture.

Predicting Preferences for Dating Partners From Past Experiences of Psychological Abuse: Identifying the Psychological Ingredients of Situations

Are women who have been the victim of psychological abuse in the past more likely to prefer an abusive dating partner in the future? Are men who have been the perpetrator of abuse more likely to prefer a dating partner with high attachment anxiety, a characteristic associated with victims of abuse? The present research used a highly repeated, within-subject, multilevel approach to identify the characteristics of potential dating partners that constitute salient psychological ingredients of situations influencing partner preference. Study 1 found that college-age women who reported more instances of receiving psychological abuse, compared to women who did not, showed a stronger preference for male dating partners who possessed characteristics associated with an abusive personality (e.g., possessiveness). Study 2 found that college-age men who reported more instances of inflicting psychological abuse, compared to men who did not, showed a stronger preference for female dating partners characterized by high attachment anxiety.

Stalking as a Variant of Intimate Violence: Implications From a Young Adult Sample

There is a limited but growing literature which suggests that stalking is a variant of intimate violence. The purpose of this study was to examine physical, psychological, and stalking victimization and perpetration among males and females. Alcohol use was also examined. The sample was 46 male and 84 female undergraduate students who reported stalking victimization and perpetration after a difficult breakup, and psychological and physical victimization and perpetration during that specific relationship. Overall, 27% of the sample study was classified into the stalking victimization group, which is consistent with other stalking prevalence rates among college samples. For females, stalking victimization was significantly associated with physical and psychological abuse victimization. For males, stalking victimization was significantly associated with psychological abuse victimization. However, there was also a strong significant reciprocal relationship of stalking and psychological abuse victimization and perpetration, especially for males. Also, alcohol use was significantly associated with victimization and perpetration of stalking and psychological abuse for males. The data from this study contribute to the hypothesis that stalking is a variant of or extension of intimate violence, especially for females. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.