Citation

Echeburúa E, Fernandez-Montalvo J, de Corral P. Int. J. Clin. Health Psychol. 2008; 8(2): 355-382.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Facultad de Psicología. Universidad de Granada, Publisher Asociacion Espanola de Psicologia Conductual)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The aim of this ex post facto study was to analyze the profile of 1,081 cases, which were denounced in the police station of the Ertzaintza (Basque Country), because of having committed a serious offence of gender violence. First, psychological and sociodemographic variables, as well as of couple's relationship, of both aggressors and victims are presented. And second, the most significant differences between the serious violence and the less serious violence in these variables are determined. Results showed that both the aggressors and the victims were rather young and with a high rate of immigration. Regarding the most serious aggressors, they tended to be jealous or possessive, to feel humiliated by the couple's breaking up, what directly influenced in a lower self-esteem, and to abuse of alcohol or drugs. Regarding the victims of the most serious violence, they usually felt in danger of death and they were more easily in vulnerability circumstances, such as a very young age, a very dependent personality, a chronic illness, an economic dependence, an abuse of alcohol or drugs or an environment of loneliness. Implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are commented upon.