Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Understanding the Relationship between Attachment, Caregiving, and Same Sex Intimate Partner Violence

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Family Violence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite the well documented prevalence of same sex intimate partner violence (SSIPV), its dynamics remain relatively poorly understood. Building on the established value of attachment theory’s contribution to understanding heterosexual intimate partner violence, we provide a detailed examination of the relationship between the attachment system and SSIPV, while broadening our scope to include the caregiving system. A total of 310 American and Canadian individuals involved in same sex romantic relationships participated in an online survey. Hierarchical regressions revealed that attachment and caregiving variables shared significant amounts of variance with SSIPV, with avoidance of intimacy and proximity making independent contributions. Based on significant overlap between the attachment and caregiving dimensions, subsequent analyses were conducted to provide composite variables used to predict SSIPV.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allison, C. J., Bartholomew, K., Mayseless, O., & Dutton, D. G. (2008). Love as a battlefield: Attachment and relationship dynamics in couples identified for male partner violence. Journal of Family Issues, 29, 125–150. doi:10.1177/0192513X07306980.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Archer, J. (2000). Sex differences in aggression between heterosexual partners: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 126, 651–680. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.126.5.651.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arias, I., & Beach, S. H. (1987). Validity of self-reports of marital violence. Journal of Family Violence, 2, 139–149. doi:10.1007/BF00977038.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babcock, J. C., Jacobson, N. S., Gottman, J. M., & Yerington, T. P. (2000). Attachment, emotional regulation, and the function of marital violence: Differences between secure, preoccupied, and dismissing violent and nonviolent husbands. Journal of Family Violence, 15, 391–409. doi:10.1023/A:1007558330501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Badenes-Ribera, L., Frias-Navarro, D., Bonilla-Campos, A., Pons-Salvador, G., & Monterde-i-Bort, H. (2015). Intimate partner violence in self-identified lesbians: A meta-analysis of its prevalence. Sexuality Research & Social Policy, 12, 47–59. doi:10.1007/s13178-014-0164-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balsam, K. F., Rothblum, E. D., & Beauchaine, T. P. (2005). Victimization over the life span: A comparison of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual siblings. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 477–487. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.73.3.477.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bartholomew, K., & Allison, C. J. (2006). An attachment perspective on abusive dynamics in intimate relationships. In M. Mikulincer & G. S. Goodman (Eds.), Dynamics of romantic love: Attachment, caregiving and sex (pp. 102–127). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartholomew, K., Regan, K. V., Oram, D., & White, M. A. (2008a). Correlates of partner abuse in male same-sex relationships. Violence and Victims, 23, 344–360. doi:10.1891/0886-6708.23.3.344.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bartholomew, K., Regan, K. V., White, M. A., & Oram, D. (2008b). Patterns of abuse in male same-sex relationships. Violence and Victims, 23, 617–636. doi:10.1891/0886-6708.23.5.617.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bem, S. L. (1974). The measurement of psychological androgyny. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 42, 155–162. doi:10.1037/h0036215.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bond, S. B., & Bond, M. (2004). Attachment styles and violence within couples. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 192, 857–863. doi:10.1177/0306624X11434917.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bookwala, J., & Zdaniuk, B. (1998). Adult attachment styles and aggressive behavior within dating relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 15, 175–190. doi:10.1177/0265407598152003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouaziz, A. R., Lafontaine, M. F., Gabbay, N., & Caron, A. (2013). Investigating the validity and reliability of the caregiving questionnaire with individuals in same-sex couple relationships. Journal of Relationships Research, 4, 1–11. doi:10.1017/jrr.2013.2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1969/1982). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1973). Attachment and loss: Vol. 2. Separation: Anxiety and anger. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brennan, K. A., Clark, C. L., & Shaver, P. R. (1998). Self-report measurement of adult attachment: An integrative overview. In J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rholes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 46–76). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, A. S., & Demian (1994). Relationship characteristics of American gay and lesbian couples: Findings from a national survey. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 1, 101–117. doi:10.1300/J041v01n02_06.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cassidy, J., & Kobak, R. R. (1988). Avoidance and its relationship with other defensive processes. In J. Belsky & T. Nezworski (Eds.), Clinical implications of attachment (pp. 300–323). New Jersey: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/NISVS_SOfindings.pdf

  • Collins, N. L., & Feeney, B. C. (2000). A safe haven: An attachment theory perspective on support seeking and caregiving in intimate relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78, 1053–1073. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.78.6.1053.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, N. L., Guichard, A. C., Ford, M. B., & Feeney, B. C. (2006). Responding to need in intimate relationships: Normative processes and individual differences. In M. Mikulincer & G. S. Goodman (Eds.), Dynamics of romantic love: Attachment, caregiving and sex (pp. 149–189). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craft, S. M., & Serovich, J. M. (2005). Family-of-origin factors and partner violence in the intimate relationships of gay men who are HIV positive. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20, 777–791. doi:10.1177/0886260505277101.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Craft, S. M., Serovich, J. M., McKenry, P. C., & Lim, J. Y. (2008). Stress, attachment style, and partner violence among same-sex couples. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 4, 57–73. doi:10.1080/15504280802084456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crowell, J. A., Treboux, D., & Waters, E. (2002). Stability of attachment representations: The transition to marriage. Developmental Psychology, 38, 467–479. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.38.4.467.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diamond, L. (2006). How do I love thee?: Implications of attachment theory for understanding same-sex love and desire. In M. Mikulincer & G. S. Goodman (Eds.), Dynamics of romantic love: Attachment, caregiving, and sex (pp. 275–293). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutton, D. G., Saunders, K., Starzomski, A., & Bartholomew, K. (1994). Intimacy-anger and insecure attachment as precursors of abuse in intimate relationships. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 24, 1367–1386. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.1994.tb01554.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, K. M., Sylaska, K. M., & Neal, A. M. (2015). Intimate partner violence among sexual minority populations: A critical review of the literature and agenda for future research. Psychology of Violence, 5, 112. doi:10.1037/a0038656.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feeney, J. A. (1996). Attachment, caregiving, and marital satisfaction. Personal Relationships, 3, 401–416. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6811.1996.tb00124.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feeney, J. A., & Collins, N. L. (2001). Predictors or caregiving in adult intimate relationships: An attachment theoretical perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 972–994. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.80.6.972.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feeney, J. A., & Hohaus, L. (2005). Attachment and spousal caregiving. Personal Relationships, 8, 21–39. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6811.2001.tb00026.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finneran, C., & Stephenson, R. (2013). Intimate partner violence among men who have sex with wen: A systematic review. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 14, 168–185. doi:10.1177/1524838012470034.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fortunata, B., & Kohn, C. S. (2003). Demographic, psychosocial, and personality characteristics of lesbian batterers. Violence and Victims, 18, 557–568. doi:10.1891/vivi.2003.18.5.557.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Godbout, N., Dutton, D. G., Lussier, Y., & Sabourin, S. (2009). Early exposure to violence, domestic violence, attachment representations, and marital adjustment. Personal Relationships, 16, 365–384. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6811.2009.01228.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood, G. L., Relf, M. V., Bu Huang, P., L. M., Canchola, J. A., & Catania, J. A. (2002). Battering victimization among a probability-based sample of men who have sex with men. American Journal of Public Health, 92, 1964–1969. doi:10.2105/AJPH.92.12.1964

  • Grimm, L. G., & Yarnold, P. R. (2001). Reading and understanding multivariate statistics. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 511–524. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.52.3.511.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hazan, C., & Zeifman, D. (1999). Pair bonds as attachments: Evaluating the evidence. In J. Cassidy & P. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp. 336–354). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, A. J. Z., Bartholomew, K., & Dutton, D. G. (1997). He loves me; he loves me not: Attachment and separation resolution of abused women. Journal of Family Violence, 12, 169–191. doi:10.1023/A:1022836711637.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, A. J. Z., Bartholomew, K., Trinke, S. J., & Kwong, M. J. (2005). When loving means hurting: An exploration of attachment and intimate abuse in a community sample. Journal of Family Violence, 20, 219–230. doi:10.1007/s10896-005-5985-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holtzworth-Munroe, A., Stuart, G. L., & Hutchinson, G. (1997). Violent versus nonviolent husbands: Differences in attachment patterns, dependency, and jealousy. Journal of Family Psychology, 11, 314. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.11.3.314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iasenza, S. (2002). Beyond “lesbian bed death”: The passion and play in lesbian relationships. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 6, 111–120. doi:10.1300/J155v06n01_10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, S. M. (2004). Attachment theory: A guide for healing couple relationships. In W. S. Rholes & J. A. Simpson (Eds.), Adult attachment: Theory, research, and clinical implications (pp. 367–387). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jose, A., & O’Leary, K. D. (2009). Prevalence of partner aggression in representative and clinical samples. In K. D. O’Leary & E. M. Woodin (Eds.), Psychological and physical aggression in couples (pp. 99–118). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenny, D. A., Kashy, D. A., & Cook, W. L. (2006). Dyadic data analysis. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kesner, J. E., & McKenry, P. C. (1998). The role of childhood attachment factors in predicting male violence toward female intimates. Journal of Family Violence, 13, 417–432. doi:10.1023/A:1022879304255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kunce, L. J., & Shaver, P. R. (1994). An attachment-theoretical approach to caregiving in romantic relationships. In K. Bartholomew & D. Perlman (Eds.), Advances in personal relationships (pp. 205–237). London: Jessica Kingsley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurdek, L. A. (2005). What do we know about gay and lesbian couples? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14, 251–254. doi:10.1111/j.0963-7214.2005.00375.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lafontaine, M. F., Bélanger, C., & Gagnon, C. (2009). Support seeking, caregiving and conflict management: Evidence from an observational study with couples. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 5, 9–24. doi:10.5964/ejop.v5i3.252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landolt, M. A., & Dutton, D. G. (1997). Power and personality: An analysis of gay male intimate abuse. Sex Roles, 37, 335–359. doi:10.1023/A:1025649306193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levant, R. F., Smalley, K. B., Aupont, M., House, A. T., Richmond, K., & Noronha, D. (2007a). Initial validation of the male role norms inventory-revised (MRNI-R). The Journal of Men's Studies, 15, 83–100. doi:10.3149/jms.1501.83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levant, R., Richmond, K., Cook, S., Tanner House, A., & Aupont, M. (2007b). The femininity ideology scale: Factor structure, reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and social contextual variation. Sex Roles, 57, 373–383. doi:10.1007/s11199-007-9258-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mason, T. B., Lewis, R. J., Milletich, R. J., Kelley, M. L., Minifie, J. B., & Derlega, V. J. (2014). Psychological aggression in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals’ intimate relationships: A review of prevalence, correlates, and measurement issues. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 19, 219–234. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2014.04.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matte, M., & Lafontaine, M.-F. (2011). Validation of a measure of psychological aggression in same-sex couples: Descriptive data on perpetration and victimization and their association with physical violence. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 7, 226–244. doi:10.1080/1550428X.2011.564944.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matte, M., Lemieux, A., & Lafontaine, M. F. (2009). Brief report: Factor structure of the experiences in close relationships with gay and lesbian individuals. North American Journal of Psychology, 11, 361–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mauricio, A. M., & Gormley, B. (2001). Male perpetration of physical violence against female partners: The interaction of dominance needs and attachment insecurity. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16, 1066–1081. doi:10.1177/088626001016010006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayseless, O. (1991). Adult attachment patterns and courtship violence. Family Relations, 40, 21–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClennen, J. C., Summers, A. B., & Vaughan, C. (2002). Gay men’s domestic violence: dynamics, help-seeking behaviors, and correlates. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 14, 23–49. doi:10.1300/J041v14n01_02.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M. (2006). Attachment, caregiving, and sex within romantic relationships: A behavioral systems perspective. In M. Mikulincer & G. S. Goodman (Eds.), Dynamics of romantic love: Attachment, caregiving and sex (pp. 23–47). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M., Shaver, P. R., Gillath, O., & Nitzberg, R. A. (2005). Attachment, caregiving, and altruism: Boosting attachment security increases compassion and helping. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89, 817–839. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.89.5.817.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D. H., Greene, K., Causby, V., White, B. W., & Lockhart, L. L. (2001). Domestic violence in lesbian relationships. Women and Therapy, 23, 107–137. doi:10.1300/J015v23n03_08.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohr, J. J. (2008). Same-sex romantic attachment. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment theory and research and clinical applications (2nd ed., pp. 482–502). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, C. E., & Mobley, A. K. (2009). Empirical research about same-sex intimate partner violence: A methodological review. Journal of Homosexuality, 56, 361–386. doi:10.1080/00918360902728848.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, M., & Shernoff, M. (2007). Therapy with sexual minorities: Queering practice. In S. R. Leiblum (Ed.), Principles and practice of sex therapy (pp. 379–416). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary, K. D., & Woodin, E. M. (2009). Psychological and physical aggression in couples: Causes and interventions. Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Peplau, L. A., & Spalding, L. R. (2003). The close relationships of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals. In L. D. Garnets & D. C. Kimmel (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on lesbian and gay male experiences (2nd ed., pp. 449–474). New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peplau, L. A., Fingerhut, A., & Beals, K. P. (2004). Sexuality in the relationships of lesbians and gay men. In J. H. Havey, A. Wenzel, & S. Sprecher (Eds.), The handbook of sexuality in close relationships (pp. 349–369). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, N., & Noller, P. (1998). The associations between adult attachment and couple violence: The role of communication patterns and relationship satisfaction. In J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rholes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 317–350). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, W. S., Bidwell, J., & Wilson, L. (2005). Perception of and satisfaction with relationship power, sex, and attachment styles: A couples level analysis. Journal of Family Violence, 20, 241–251. doi:10.1007/s10896-005-5988-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schachner, D. A., Shaver, P. R., & Mikulincer, M. (2005). Patterns of nonverbal behavior and sensivity in the context of attachment relations. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 29, 141–169. doi:10.1007/s10919-005-4847-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaver, P. R., & Hazan, C. (1988). A biased overview of the study of love. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 5, 473–501. doi:10.1177/0265407588054005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanley, J. L., Bartholomew, K., Taylor, T., Oram, D., & Landolt, M. (2006). Intimate violence in male same-sex relationships. Journal of Family Violence, 21, 31–41. doi:10.1007/s10896-005-9008-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Hamby, S. L., Boney-McCoy, S., & Sugarman, D. B. (1996). The revised conflict tactics scales: Development and preliminary psychometric data. Journal of Family Issues, 17, 283–316. doi:10.1177/019251396017003001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2007). Using multivariate statistics (5th ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, Inc..

    Google Scholar 

  • Treboux, D., Crowell, J. A., & Waters, E. (2004). When" new" meets" old": configurations of adult attachment representations and their implications for marital functioning. Developmental Psychology, 40, 295–314. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.40.2.295.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research project was partially funded by the University of Ottawa’s Research Development Program, Faculty of Social Sciences.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada

    Nicolas Gabbay & Marie-France Lafontaine

Authors
  1. Nicolas Gabbay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marie-France Lafontaine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicolas Gabbay.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gabbay, N., Lafontaine, MF. Understanding the Relationship between Attachment, Caregiving, and Same Sex Intimate Partner Violence. J Fam Viol 32, 291–304 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-016-9897-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-016-9897-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation