Pathological Affective Dependence (PAD) as an Antecedent of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): A Pilot Study of PAD’s Cognitive Model on a Sample of IPV Victims

Abstract

The present paper has the aim of presenting a preliminary measure of the construct of Pathological Affective Dependence (PAD). The scale has been built on the basis of a cognitive model of PAD and characteristics of a typical affective dependent person (Saver, Unworthy, Traumatic, and Mixed). These profiles have been tracked, using a framework of anti-goals, self/other beliefs, and intrapsychic conflicts (absent, alternate, or akrasic conflict) as obstacles to a healthy and safe separation. PAD scale (PADS) was tested on a clinical sample of 25 people (F = 21, 84%; M = 4.16%; age ranged between 29 and 61 years) recruited in an online anti-violence mutual-support group called Millemé (http://www.milleme.it/) and a psychotherapeutic center (https://www.spc.it/). We selected only patients in maladaptive relationships according to the specific characteristics of PAD, whose cognitive model will be explained in this paper. Other scales were administered to test convergent and discriminant validity through Pearson's r correlations. The preliminary results support both research objectives and the PADS appears to have good validity. Furthermore, these preliminary results showed that PAD is both a stable trait and a latent psychological condition triggered by the abusive partner

When the War Is in Your Room: A Cognitive Model of Pathological Affective Dependence (PAD) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

“…According to Pugliese, Saliani, and Mancini [18,19,21,25] PAD is a relational condition. In this type of relationship, one or both partners engage in abusive, controlling, violent or manipulative behaviors.…”

“…Finally, PAD is both a state and trait condition. A study's result [19], revealed that PAD is a latent condition that can be triggered by an abusive environment. The authors showed that: when people are hooked on an abusive relationship, they can show dysfunctional behaviors, beliefs, or goals typical of an individual with a personality disorder.…”

“…In the psychological experience of PAD, physiological conflicts are characterized by a game of dominance and submission [25], and the risk of violent acts is very high. The PAD partners find themselves trapped while they in vain try to fulfill their core relational needs such as safety, self-esteem, and love [18,19,34]. This condition has negative consequences on the quality of life [35,36].…”

“…Until recently, research exploring responses to IPV has tended to apply theoretical perspectives and methodologies which obscure the complexities, arising from interactionsof the antecedents of IPV and IPV itself. Given the range of evidence for the interaction of individual experiences of IPV (directly as a victim, and indirectly as a child) and the subsequent negative impact on the family'swell-being, this article has a primary focus on PAD as one of the main psychological antecedents of IPV [18][19][20][21]. We believe that understanding the mechanisms underpinning the condition of PAD is useful for guiding future social research and/or clinical practice that seeks to support individuals affected by IPV.…”

“…This is surprising that PAD is not yet considered in psychiatric nosology and there is a lack of a clinical model explaining this condition. Pugliese et al [19] presented the preliminary results of a pilot study aimed at introducing the main features of a prototypical patient suffering from PAD. Designing effective prevention requires knowing which psychological conditions will increase or decrease the risk of experiencing IPV-also known as risk and protective factors, respectively.…”