| That greater levels of attachment insecurity are associated with higher frequencies of psychological abuse victimization and perpetration is well documented (Babcock, Jacobson, Gottman, & Yerington, 2000; Dutton & Painter 1993; Henderson, Bartholomew, & Dutton, 1997; Rapoza, 2002). More poorly understood is the mechanism by which individuals with higher degrees of attachment insecurity become more susceptible to psychological abuse. The current study sought to further elucidate this relationship by examining possible moderators and considering various subtypes of attachment insecurity and psychologically abusive acts. We hypothesized that subjective perceptions of psychologically abusive behaviors would moderate the relationship between attachment insecurity and frequency of psychological abuse.;One hundred and fifty-four participants (104 females, 50 males) completed an online questionnaire measuring attachment style, perception of psychological abuse, and psychological abuse frequency. The current study replicated previous findings on the positive correlation between attachment insecurity and frequency of psychological abuse perpetration and victimization, and went a step further by discovering that this relationship occurred for the various subtypes of attachment insecurity.;The main contribution of the current study to existing literature is the discovery that perception of psychological abuse is a moderator of the relationship between attachment insecurity and frequency of psychological abuse. Hierarchical regression analyses determined that attachment insecurity is a significant predictor of psychological abuse frequency, but only for average and very negative perceptions of psychologically abusive acts. Adults higher on attachment insecurity, who perceive psychologically abusive acts more negatively, experienced more frequent psychological abuse victimization and perpetration. Current findings also point to gender effects in this mechanism, with females appearing to have more complex associations. The application of these findings to clinical interventions is discussed. |
