Mediating Role of Intimate Partner Violence Between Emotional Dependence and Addictive Behaviours in Adolescents

Abstract

<jats:sec><jats:title>Objective</jats:title><jats:p>Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been related to emotional dependence and addictive disorders. This study aims to provide a global approach to analyse the relationship between these variables and to determine the factors underlying permanence in violent relationships.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>It is a non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational design study. Participants had to have at least one dating relationship for at least 1 month to complete the questionnaire, which included the following instruments: emotional dependence scale (DEN), scale of violence in dating relationships (VREP) and impulse control disorders scale (MULTICAGE CAD 4).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>The sample consisted of 1.533 adolescents, 53.9% were male (<jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 826) and 46.1% female (<jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 707), between 14 and 18 years. Emotional dependence correlated significantly with received violence (<jats:italic>r</jats:italic> = 0.37, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> &amp;lt; 0.001). Compulsive spending is strongly associated with emotional dependence (<jats:italic>r</jats:italic> = 0.21, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> &amp;lt; 0.001), whereas sex addiction is associated with received violence to a greater extent (<jats:italic>r</jats:italic> = 0.18, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> &amp;lt; 0.001). Received violence mediates on emotional dependence and addictions.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>IPV is a risk factor for the perpetuation of addictive behaviours. It is advisable to promote affective education for developing resilience and adequate coping.</jats:p></jats:sec>