Emotional dependency in male perpetrators of intimate partner violence in community treatment: A pilot study

Prior research has identified the important role of emotional dependency in the dynamics of chronic intimate partner violence. The main objectives of this paper are to analyze the emotional and other related psychological variables (anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and anger) in male batterers and male non-batterers when they are involved in lasting relationships. The sample consisted of 100 people. A group of 50 male batterers in community treatment was compared to a group of 50 male non-batterers on measures of emotional dependency. Male batterers scored much higher than male non-batterers on emotional dependency. Furthermore, emotional dependency in male batterers was positively associated with depression, but not with anxiety, self-esteem, and anger. These findings support that emotional dependency in men is an important factor in the motivational dynamics of intimate partner violence.