Citation

Brown CC, Barros-Gomes P, Smith-Marek EN, Cafferky B, Stith SM. J. Couple Relationsh. Ther. 2018; 17(2): 114-127.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15332691.2017.1372832

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Despite previous research suggesting a link between intimate partner violence (IPV) and depression within romantic relationships, few studies have examined the role of depression in couples experiencing violence. Using dyadic data of 129 heterosexual couples seeking couples therapy for high conflict including physical IPV, depressive symptoms were evaluated as a moderator in the association between psychological and physical IPV.

RESULTS indicated that moderate and high reports of women's depressive symptoms provided a context, while men's psychological abuse toward them moved from low to high, for women to be more physically abusive toward their partners. Further, low reports of women's depressive symptoms provided a context, while men's psychological abuse toward them moved from low to high, for women to be less physically abusive toward their partners. Better understanding the role of depression and how it may offer a context for physical violence assists helping professionals in holistically addressing violence within romantic relationships.

Language: en

Keywords

Couples; depression; intimate partner violence; physical violence; psychological violence