Abstract

Research regarding psychological abuse is limited and overshadowed by investigations of physical abuse; however, psychological abuse is emerging as the type of abuse most detrimental. The limited research on psychological abuse focuses on domineering psychological abuse while neglecting the more difficult to recognize subtle-overt psychological abuse. Although past research and societal expectations suggest that women are typically the recipients of psychological abuse, current research suggests women may also be perpetrators.

The overall goal of this study was to investigate both experiencing and perpetrating subtle-overt and domineering psychological abuse by women. Subtle-overt and domineering psychological abuse were assessed by modified versions of the Subtle and Overt Psychological Abuse of Women scale and the Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory. The sample included 146 women in long-term, committed, cohabiting relationships who were predominately married (89%), middle aged (mean age 45.9 years), Caucasian (93%), and college graduates (71%). In addition to providing descriptive data regarding psychological abuse, the predictive validity of psychological abuse for reports of depressive symptoms (assessed with the Beck Depressive Inventory II) was evaluated. The relationship of psychological abuse and attachment strategies (assessed with the Experiences in Close Relationships inventory) was also examined. Statistical analyses, including multiple regression, correlation, and t tests were used to evaluate associations and predictive capabilities between reports of the different styles of psychological abuse, depressive symptoms, and attachment orientations. A significant advancement of this research is that all aspects of the study control for the effects of other abuse (assessed via the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales).

Experiencing and perpetrating psychological abuse was prevalent for the sample of community women. The women reported experiencing more subtle-overt and domineering psychological abuse than they perpetrated. Perpetrating domineering psychological abuse and experiencing sexual coercion were the only significant predictors of reports of depressive symptoms. Attachment orientation was a significant predictor of experiencing and perpetrating subtle-overt and domineering psychological abuse. Anxious attachment was positively correlated with experiencing and perpetrating subtle-overt psychological abuse and perpetrating domineering abuse. These results suggest the importance of assessing for subtle-overt as well as domineering psychological abuse and the perpetration as well as receipt of psychological abuse.