Attachment and intimate partner violence

This chapter is about attachment as a vulnerability factor of victimization in thecontext of intimate partner violence. First, we will introduce the concept of attachment bypresenting its first studies and its evolution until the assessment of attachment in adulthood.Afterwards, we will explain the difference between the concepts of attachment and intimatepartner violence. The attachment pattern can be considered as a vulnerability factor thatcontributes to the involvement in abusive intimate relationships. As a consequence, theexperience in these relationships can alter one's attachment pattern. We will describe thevarious patterns of attachment especially those that have an impact on the dynamics of anintimate relationship. In general, even though there is some divergence in the studies'conclusions, it is possible to observe that insecure adult attachment has been referred to inthe literature as presenting a stronger association with the victimization experience inintimate partner violence, namely preoccupied attachment. This pattern is characterized bya belief that one is not worthy of love and by the idealization of the partner, which leads toa higher level of tolerance towards the existence of violence. Not only do theseinvestigations help technicians to deepen the understanding of this crime but they alsoallow them to make a precise risk assessment and behavioral predictions as well as managethe case according to the victims' needs.