Stress, attachment style, and partner violence among same-sex couples
Abstract
Attachment theory has been utilized in studies of relationship violence with heterosexual samples but not with same-sex samples. The purpose of this exploratory study was to compare two nested models of perpetration of violence derived from literature using structural equation modeling procedures. The sample for this study (N = 87) consisted of 46 gay men and 41 lesbians who had recently been in a same-sex intimate relationship, who had perpetrated at least one act of violence within the past year, and who reported experiencing relationship distress. Participants completed measures of stress, attachment, and violence. Results suggested that the relationships among stress, attachment, and violence are best explained by a mediation model, i.e., the relationship between perceived stress and the perpetration of violence was mediated by an insecure attachment style. A brief discussion and implications for future researchers are included.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Concerning studies that assessed the construct only among perpetrators, there is general accordance about a positive correlation between insecure attachment and generic IPV perpetration.
“Concerning studies that assessed the construct only among perpetrators, there is a general accordance about the positive correlation between insecure attachment and generic IPV perpetration (Craft et al., 2008).”
From Exploring Relationships: A Systematic Review on Intimate Partner Violence and Attachment (2018) · cites this paper as Craft et al., 2008
Cites
Alternative Ways of Assessing Model Fit
Browne, M. W., & Cudeck, R. (1992) · Sociological Methods & Research · doi:10.1177/0049124192021002005 · Cited by 27,200 · see citing works
(1969) · Cited by 18,340 · see citing works
(1978) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 12,570 · see citing works
Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process.
Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. R. (1987) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.52.3.511 · Cited by 8,783 · see citing works
Attachment and Loss. Vol. 1. Attachment
Rever, G. W. (1972) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-197211000-00011 · Cited by 8,446 · cited 7× · see citing works
“The findings of the present study, however, also provide further quantitative support for Bowlby’s (1969) theorized relationship between attachment and distress. These results suggest that insecure individuals would be more emotionally reactive to stress, and that they would also be more likely to use violence to reso…”
BackgroundResultInfluentialThe Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2): Development and Preliminary Psychometric Data
STRAUS, M. A., HAMBY, S. L., BONEY-McCOY, S., & SUGARMAN, D. B. (1996) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/019251396017003001 · Cited by 6,923 · see citing works
LISREL 7 : user's reference guide
Jöreskog, K. G., & Sörbom, D. (1989) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 6,783 · see citing works
Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process.
Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.52.3.511 · Cited by 6,247 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Hazan and Shaver (1987) built upon the work of Ainsworth to conceptualize adult romantic love relationships as an attachment process.”
BackgroundSocial class and mental illness: Community study.
Hollingshead, A. B., & Redlich, F. C. (1958) · John Wiley & Sons, Inc. eBooks · doi:10.1037/10645-000 · Cited by 3,744 · see citing works
Adult attachment, working models, and relationship quality in dating couples.
Collins, N. L., & Read, S. J. (1990) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.58.4.644 · Cited by 3,678 · see citing works
Social Class and Mental Illness
Hunt, R. G., Hollingshead, A. B., & Redlich, F. C. (1959) · The American Journal of Psychology · doi:10.2307/1420236 · Cited by 3,307 · see citing works
Avoidance of Intimacy: An Attachment Perspective
Bartholomew, K. (1990) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407590072001 · Cited by 2,153 · see citing works
Ainsworth, M. S. (1979) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.34.10.932 · Cited by 1,317 · see citing works
Ainsworth, M. S. (1979) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037//0003-066x.34.10.932 · Cited by 1,306 · see citing works
The metaphysics of measurement: The case of adult attachment.
Griffin, D. W., & Bartholomew, K. (1994) · Cited by 738 · see citing works
Physical violence in American families: risk factors and adaptations to violence in 8,145 families
(1990) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.27-6647 · Cited by 731 · see citing works
Intimacy‐Anger and Insecure Attachment as Precursors of Abuse in Intimate Relationships<sup>1</sup>
Dutton, D. G., Saunders, K., Starzomski, A., & Bartholomew, K. (1994) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.1994.tb01554.x · Cited by 546 · see citing works
Violent Betrayal: Partner Abuse in Lesbian Relationships
Renzetti, C. M. (1992) · Sage eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781483325767 · Cited by 527 · see citing works
Marital violence: Characteristics of abusive couples.
Rosenbaum, A., & O’Leary, K. D. (1981) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.49.1.63 · Cited by 419 · see citing works
The abusive personality: violence and control in intimate relationships
(1999) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.36-4189 · Cited by 337 · see citing works
Gender violence : interdisciplinary perspectives
O’Toole, L. L., & Schiffman, J. R. (1997) · doi:10.18574/9781479801794 · Cited by 329 · see citing works
Patriarchy and Wife Assault: The Ecological Fallacy
Dutton, D. G. (1994) · Violence and Victims · doi:10.1891/0886-6708.9.2.167 · Cited by 268 · see citing works
FILE: Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes
McCubbin, H. I., Patterson, J. M., & Wilson, L. R. (1985) · Open Scholarship Institutional Repository (Washington University in St. Louis) · Cited by 266 · see citing works
Attachment style, communication and satisfaction in the early years of marriage.
Feeney, J. A., Noller, P., & Callan, V. J. (1994) · Cited by 243 · see citing works
Psychology and domestic violence around the world.
Walker, L. E. (1999) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.54.1.21 · Cited by 230 · see citing works
Violence in lesbian and gay relationships Theory, prevalence, and correlational factors
Burke, L. (1999) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/s0272-7358(98)00054-3 · Cited by 224 · see citing works
THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCHER'S GENDER IN THE IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW:
Williams, C. L., & Heikes, E. J. (1993) · Gender & Society · doi:10.1177/089124393007002008 · Cited by 216 · see citing works
A Descriptive Analysis of Same-Sex Relationship Violence for a Diverse Sample
Turell, S. C. (2000) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1023/a:1007505619577 · Cited by 200 · see citing works
Men who beat the men who love them: battered gay men and domestic violence
(1992) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.29-5988 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Waldner, L. K., Gratch, L. V., & Magruder, B. (1997) · Violence and Victims · doi:10.1891/0886-6708.12.2.173 · Cited by 155 · see citing works
Lockhart, L. L., WHITE, B. W., Causby, V., & Isaac, A. R. (1994) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/088626094009004003 · Cited by 139 · see citing works
Exposure to Violence in the Families-of-Origin among Wife-Abusers and Maritally Nonviolent Men
Caesar, P. L. (1988) · Violence and Victims · doi:10.1891/0886-6708.3.1.49 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Waterman, C. K., Dawson, L. J., & Bologna, M. J. (1989) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224498909551495 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Violence in Lesbian Relationships
Renzetti, C. M. (1988) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/088626088003004003 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Life stressors and husband-to-wife violence
Caño, A., & Vivian, D. (2001) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/s1359-1789(00)00017-3 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Mediators of male violence toward female intimates
Julian, T. W., & McKenry, P. C. (1993) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1007/bf00986992 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Relationship Dynamics, Emotion State, and Domestic Violence: A Stress and Masculinities Perspective
Umberson, D., Anderson, K. L., Williams, K., & Chen, M. D. (2003) · Journal of Marriage and the Family · doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2003.00233.x · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Are life stressors associated with marital violence?
Caño, A., & Vivian, D. (2003) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037/0893-3200.17.3.302 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
The Role of Childhood Attachment Factors in Predicting Male Violence Toward Female Intimates
Kesner, J. E., & McKenry, P. C. (1998) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1023/a:1022879304255 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Diamond, D. L., & Wilsnack, S. C. (1979) · Journal of Homosexuality · doi:10.1300/j082v04n02_01 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Application of Attachment Theory to Male Violence Toward Female Intimates
Kesner, J. E., Julian, T. W., & McKenry, P. C. (1997) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1023/a:1022840812546 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Gay and lesbian relationships.
Peplau, L. A., Veniegas, R. C., & Campbell, S. (1996) · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Lesbian Passion: Loving Ourselves and Each Other
Loulan, J., & Nelson, M. B. (1987) · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Interpersonal attachment: Experiencing, expressing, and coping with stress.
Kemp, M. A., & Neimeyer, G. J. (1999) · Journal of Counseling Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-0167.46.3.388 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
The Diversity of Human Relationships
Auhagen, A. E. (1996) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511586552 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
The Shattering of an Illusion: The Problem of Competition in Lesbian Relationships
Lindenbaum, J. P. (1985) · Feminist Studies · doi:10.2307/3180134 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Men who beat the men who love them: Battered gay men and domestic violence
Munster, A. (1992) · Journal of Criminal Justice · doi:10.1016/0047-2352(92)90008-w · Cited by 40 · see citing works
A Gender Role Workshop Focused on Sexism, Gender Role Conflict, and the Gender Role Journey
O’Neil, J. M., & Carroll, M. R. (1988) · Journal of Counseling & Development · doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.1988.tb02091.x · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Heterosexual and homosexual coercion, sexual orientation and sexual roles in medical students
McConaghy, N., & Zamir, R. (1995) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/bf01541830 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Physical and Sexual Violence Experienced by Lesbian and Heterosexual Women
Bernhard, L. A. (2000) · Violence Against Women · doi:10.1177/10778010022181714 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Men's Gender Role Transitions over the Life Span: Transformations and Fears of Femininity.
O’Neil, J. M., & Egan, J. (1992) · Journal of Mental Health Counseling · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Violence in Lesbian and Gay Relationships
Renzetti, C. M. (1997) · UKnowledge (University of Kentucky) · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Treatment of Domestic Violence in Gay and Lesbian Relationships
Bailey, G. R. (1996) · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
1 of the 54 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Edwards, K. M., Sylaska, K., & Neal, A. M. (2015) · Psychology of Violence · doi:10.1037/a0038656 · Cited by 376 · see citing works
Internalized Sexual Minority Stressors and Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence
Carvalho, A. F., Lewis, R. J., Derlega, V. J., Winstead, B. A., & Viggiano, C. (2011) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1007/s10896-011-9384-2 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
“Another similarity in abuse dynamics is reflected in the relationship among stress, violence, and substance use (e.g., Craft et al. 2008; Eaton et al. 2008; Murray et al. 2006).”
BackgroundResultExploring Relationships: A Systematic Review on Intimate Partner Violence and Attachment
Velotti, P., Beomonte Zobel, S., Rogier, G., & Tambelli, R. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01166 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Whitton, S. W., Dyar, C., Mustanski, B. S., & Newcomb, M. E. (2019) · Psychology of Women Quarterly · doi:10.1177/0361684319838972 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Intimate Partner Violence in Self-Identified Lesbians
Badenes‐Ribera, L., Campos, A. B., Navarro, M. D. F., Pons-Salvador, G., & Monterde-i-Bort, H. (2015) · Trauma Violence & Abuse · doi:10.1177/1524838015584363 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Mason, T. B., Lewis, R. J., Milletich, R. J., Kelley, M. L., Minifie, J. B., & Derlega, V. J. (2014) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2014.04.001 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Trombetta, T., & Rolle, L. (2022) · Sexuality Research & Social Policy · doi:10.1007/s13178-022-00761-4 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
The Help-Seeking Process in Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence: a Systematic Review
Santoniccolo, F., Trombetta, T., & Rollè, L. (2021) · Sexuality Research and Social Policy · doi:10.1007/s13178-021-00629-z · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Intimate Partner Violence among Sexual Minority Women: A Scoping Review
Porsch, L., Xu, M., Veldhuis, C. B., Bochicchio, L. A., Zollweg, S. S., & Hughes, T. (2022) · Trauma, Violence, & Abuse · doi:10.1177/15248380221122815 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
“Three studies using convenience samples of sexual minority individuals found no significant gender differences in IPV victimization (Gabbay & Lafontaine, 2017; Owen & Burke, 2004), or IPV perpetration (Craft et al., 2008; Gabbay & Lafontaine, 2017).”
BackgroundBasow, S. A., & Thompson, J. (2011) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/0886260511425241 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Attachment Styles, Perceived Stress and Social Support in a Malaysian Young Adults Sample
Zaharim, N. M. (2016) · Psychologica Belgica · doi:10.5334/pb.320 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Rosario, M. (2015) · Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity · doi:10.1037/sgd0000120 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“In addition, less secure or more insecure attachment is related to partner violence (Bartolomew, Regan, Oram, & White, 2008; Craft et al., 2008; Derlaga et al., 2011), as is theoretically expected (Bowlby, 1988).”
BackgroundGabbay, N., & Lafontaine, M. (2016) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1007/s10896-016-9897-9 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“…independent contribution aligns with the conceptualization of IPV as a strategy to reestablish proximity, and specifically expands on results found in previous surveys supporting attachment anxiety’s relationship with psychological SSIPV (Craft et al. 2008; Landolt and Dutton 1997).”
Gabbay, N., & Lafontaine, M. (2020) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/0886260517716940 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“The prevalence rates we found for sexual SSIPV perpetration were also generally congruent with the available rates in the literature (cf. Craft & Serovich, 2005; Craft et al., 2008).”
MethodResultSet, Z., Şimşek, Ö. F., & Altınok, A. (2016) · International Journal of Human and Behavioral Science · doi:10.19148/ijhbs.65157 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Intergenerational Transfer of Parental Sexual Orientation and Other MythsPreprint
Schumm, W. R. (2013) · SSRN Electronic Journal · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Longares, L., Escartín, J., Barrientos, J., & Rodríguez‐Carballeira, Á. (2018) · Sexuality Research and Social Policy · doi:10.1007/s13178-018-0363-8 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Accordingly, various studies have indicated that insecure attachment styles are related to perpetration of physical (Craft et al., 2008; Gabbay, & Lafontaine, 2017; McKenry et al., 2006) and psychological violence (Craft et al., 2008; Dutton et al., 1994; McKenry et al., 2006) in same-sex couples…”
BackgroundInfluentialAttachment Theory and Gay Male Relationships: A Scoping Review
Allan, R., & Westhaver, A. (2017) · Journal of GLBT Family Studies · doi:10.1080/1550428x.2017.1347076 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in Counseling a Male Couple
Reicherzer, S. L. (2011) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.5.3.111 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Schumm, W. (2015) · Comprehensive Psychology · doi:10.2466/17.cp.4.16 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
A violência no namoro em casais do mesmo sexo: discursos de homens gays
Elísio, R., Neves, S., & Paulos, R. (2018) · Revista Crítica de Ciências Sociais · doi:10.4000/rccs.8149 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“Tal como sucede no âmbito da violência na intimidade heterossexual, a violência psicológica emerge como uma das formas de vitimação mais expressivas (Craft e Serovich, 2005; Craft et al., 2008), seguindo -se a violência física (Halpem et al., 2004) e a violência sexual (Feldman et al., 2008).”
BackgroundLloyd, S. A. (2012) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-3987-5_20 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
A review of the syndemic components of male same-sex intimate partner violence
Pimentel, M. L. (2014) · Journal of Nursing Education and Practice · doi:10.5430/jnep.v5n1p19 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“[5] Gay men also face the barrier of societal homophobia and heteronormativity, that is, society’s view of homosexuality as deviant and that everyone who is not heterosexual, is not ‘normal’.[6]”
BackgroundCalvillo, C., Sánchez-Fuentes, M. D. M., Carreño, T. P., & Sierra, J. C. (2020) · Revista Iberoamericana de Diagnóstico y Evaluación - e Avaliação Psicológica · doi:10.21865/ridep55.2.08 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Robles, G., Bosco, S. C., Dellucci, T. V., & Starks, T. J. (2019) · Journal of GLBT Family Studies · doi:10.1080/1550428x.2019.1682740 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Attachment and episodes of IPV While it is beyond the scopes of this paper, attachment may also play an integral role in predicting experiences of IPV within a couple.”
BackgroundInfluentialSafer Sex and Partner Violence in a Sample of Women
Sutherland, M. A., Fantasia, H. C., Fontenot, H. B., & Harris, A. L. (2012) · The Journal for Nurse Practitioners · doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2012.03.016 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Perkins, N. H., Dressman, K. A., Kelly, B. L., & Lees, E. R. (2024) · Families in Society The Journal of Contemporary Social Services · doi:10.1177/10443894241285532 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Despite some research examining other types of violence affecting attachment in adulthood in LGB individuals (see for example Craft et al., 2008; Fontanesi et al., 2020; Gemberling et al., 2015; Longares et al., 2020), research specifically examining PESV and adult attachment in LGB populations is…”
Intimate Partner Violence in Women’s Same-Sex Relationships
Winstead, B. A., Shappie, A. T., & Dawson, C. A. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-52612-2_9 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence
Brewer, N. Q., & Thomas, K. A. (2018) · doi:10.1093/obo/9780195396607-0230 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Lawson, D. M. (2015) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781119222750.refs
- Authors
- Craft, S. M., Serovich, J. M., McKenry, P. C., & Lim, J.-Y.
- Affiliations
- The Ohio State University (US)
- ORCID
- Lim, Ji-Young
- Venue
- Journal of GLBT Family Studies
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2008-04-17
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 57-73
- ISSN
- 1550-428X (ISSN-L)
- 1550-4298
- OpenAlex
- W1998716023
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of GLBT Family Studies (publishedVersion)
- Digital Commons - University of South Florida (University of South Florida) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
- Keywords
- same-sex couples, intimate partner violence, intimate partner violence perpetration, attachment styles, insecure attachment, perceived stress, mediation model, gay men, lesbians, relationship distress
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review