Intimate Partner Violence in Nicaragua: The Role of Possessive Jealousy, Intrasexual Competitiveness, Life History, Mate Value, and Stress

Abstract

Using an evolutionary perspective, we examined predictors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Department of the Rio San Juan in Nicaragua. Specifically, we focused on possessive jealousy, intrasexual competitiveness, life history strategy, mate value, and stress. The sample consisted of 199 men and 201 women (mean age = 36.48, SD = 10.47) from the general population who were all personally interviewed. For all variables, validated measures were used. The data were analyzed for men and women separately, using regression analyses. In contrast to previous research and our expectations, possessive jealousy was not related to IPV among men or women. Rather, among men, IPV was independently predicted by (a) intrasexual competitiveness, (b) a fast life history strategy, (c) a low mate value, and (d) stress, together explaining 35% of the variance. Among women, violence against one's partner was only predicted by intrasexual competitiveness (3% explained variance). These results suggest that perpetration of IPV in Nicaragua may have qualitative different roots among men than among

Celos y violencia en parejas de estudiantes de la Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador

“…En los noviazgos juveniles se lo considera una consecuencia directa de la violencia, o indirecta, a través del sufrimiento que, en ocasiones, produce el rechazo social hacia los jóvenes de parejas violentas (Temple et al, 2016). Recientemente se informaron evidencias que dan cuenta de una contribución significativa e independiente del estrés sobre la violencia de pareja (Buunk & Massar, 2019).…”

A Systematic Review of Evolutionary-Based Conceptualisations of Family Violence and the Development of an Alternative Motivational-Emotional Systems Approach

“…Contrary to predictions, possessive jealousy was not found to influence partner violence in a sample of Nicaraguan men (Buunk & Massar, 2019). However, low mate value did significantly predict partner violence, in-line with competitive disadvantage theory (Buunk & Massar, 2019).…”

“…Contrary to predictions, possessive jealousy was not found to influence partner violence in a sample of Nicaraguan men (Buunk & Massar, 2019). However, low mate value did significantly predict partner violence, in-line with competitive disadvantage theory (Buunk & Massar, 2019). Figueredo and McCloskey (1993) had similar findings consistent with competitive disadvantage theory, with men's coercive sexual strategies inversely proportional to their sexual capital in the relationship, and directly proportional to their genetic capital in the family.…”

“…Furthermore, Buss and Shackelford (1997) found mate retention tactics were higher among men and women when their partner had a high RV. Competitive disadvantage theory was supported by two studies which found low mate value predicted IPV perpetration and controlling behaviours in men and women (Buunk & Massar, 2019;Graham-Kevan & Archer, 2009).…”

“…Snyder et al (2011) found women who perceived themselves as vulnerable to crime had a preference for aggressive and formidable mates, potentially reflecting their own childhood instability putting them at risk for IPV victimisation. Buunk and Massar (2019) demonstrated fast life history variables were predictive of IPV perpetration, while Figueredo et al ( 2018) identified a mediating role of low self-regulation in increasing the risk of IPV perpetration and interpersonal aggression.…”