B3087 - INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE PERPETRATORS THE ORIGINS - 29/03/2018

B number: 
B3087
Principal applicant name: 
Miguel Perez Garcia | University of Granada (Spain)
Co-applicants: 
Inmaculada Teva, Dr, Natalia Hidalgo Ruzzante
Title of project: 
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE PERPETRATORS: THE ORIGINS
Proposal summary: 

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is defined as any violent behavior within an intimate relationship or any other controlling behavior that is conducted by a current or former partner. It is the most common form of violence in women which constitutes a major public health problem worldwide. The current explanatory theories of IPV perpetration can be summarized as feminist/sociocultural, social learning theory-based intergenerational transmission and psychological/psychosocial. According to the feminist/sociocultural theory, domestic violence is a consequence of “patriarchy”. From this view, violence is used as a form of power and control of women by men. The intergenerational transmission theory asserts that domestic violence is based on the exposure to, or observation of, violence in the family of origin. Psychological theories propose that there are psychological, psychiatric, behavioural and neurological risk factors for domestic violence perpetration. In the study of IPV perpetration, it is important to consider the variables addressed by such theories as a whole and from a developmental perspective and there is no study that simultaneously considers all the variables of these explanatory theories. The general aim of our study is to identify those etiological mechanisms linking risk factors for IPV perpetration across development. This study will be the first one that sheds light on which the origins of IPV perpetration are by knowing how IPV perpetration develops. Implications in terms of prevention and treatment will be of a great relevance for public health.

Impact of research: 
Considering the high prevalence and negative consequences of IPV, its prevention is of great importance to public health. Moreover, there is a scarcity of studies that address IPV perpetration from a prospective approach and using large samples. In this line, it is the first study that simultaneously considers all the variables of the current explanatory theories of IPV perpetration (e.g., feminist/sociocultural, social learning theory-based intergenerational transmission and psychological/psychosocial) from a prospective perspective. The further investigation of the current explanatory theories of IPV perpetration using a fully prospective design would benefit in the comprehension of IPV perpetration. Regarding the public health significance of the present research, we expect to identify which variables differentiate IPV perpetrators from those who do not show IPV perpetration. Such investigation will be useful in the treatment and prevention of IPV since we will determine for the first time, the etiological mechanisms involved in IPV perpetration.
Date proposal received: 
Wednesday, 21 March, 2018
Keywords: 
Mental health - Psychology, Psychiatry, Cognition, Statistical methods, Psychology - personality