Factors related to violent behaviour in intimate relationships: a study of male perpetrators

This research is focused on a broader understanding of why men are perpetrators in their intimate relationships. For the past two years, men attending groups for perpetrators have been surveyed about the extent of their violent behaviour, their treatment as they were growing up at home and a number of other psychological variables that have a theoretical link to rejection, including attachment style, narcissism, internalised shame and differentiation of self. There is a clear link between perceived unfair punishment at home and psychological abuse in their romantic relationships. All main variables studied, including attachment style, narcissism, internalised shame and differentiation of self were clearly associated with domestic violence. Implications for running treatment programs are discussed which consider aspects of the treatment programs that may be re-traumatising by increasing the sense of rejection and abandonment and how this may be avoided.