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Hormonal Differences in Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators When They Cope with Acute Stress: A Pilot Study

Author

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  • Ángel Romero-Martínez

    (Department of Psychobiology, University of Valencia, 46010 València, Spain)

  • Mari-Carmen Blanco-Gandía

    (Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Marta Rodriguez-Arias

    (Department of Psychobiology, University of Valencia, 46010 València, Spain)

  • Marisol Lila

    (Department of Social Psychology, University of Valencia, 46010 València, Spain)

  • Luis Moya-Albiol

    (Department of Psychobiology, University of Valencia, 46010 València, Spain)

Abstract

Background: Only a few studies have paid attention to the ability of perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPVAW) against women to cope with acute stress, including hormonal parameters. In fact, previous studies assessed how salivary testosterone (Tsal) and cortisol (Csal) changed after coping with an acute emotional stressor (directly related to IPVAW), and they concluded that an imbalance between the two hormones might be characteristic of these men. Nevertheless, they neglected to examine the role of other hormones, such as salivary oxytocin (OXsal), which also seemed to play an important role in behavioral regulation, and whether this response could be generalized to other types of stress not directly related to IPVAW. Methods: This study aims to assess whether IPVAW perpetrators ( n = 19) present differential hormonal (Tsal, Csal, OXsal and their ratios) and psychological state (anxiety, anger, and general affect) responses when coping with an acute cognitive laboratory stressor (a set of neuropsychological tests performed in front of an expert committee) in comparison with non-violent men ( n = 16). This quasi-experimental study also assessed whether the psychological state variables drive this different hormonal response. Results: Our results revealed that IPVAW perpetrators had lower Csal and higher Tsal/Csal ratio levels during the post-task period, as well as higher total levels (average) of OXsal than controls. We also found that, only in IPVAW perpetrators, high levels of baseline anxiety and negative affect were related to high rises in Csal during the stress task. Conclusions: These data present a background showing that IPVAW perpetrators and non-violent men cope differently with stress. These findings might help to identify idiosyncratic profiles of IPVAW perpetrators that can then be employed to establish their therapeutic needs. Moreover, we reinforced the importance of combining biological markers with self-reports, thus increasing the reliability of these forensic assessments.

Suggested Citation

  • Ángel Romero-Martínez & Mari-Carmen Blanco-Gandía & Marta Rodriguez-Arias & Marisol Lila & Luis Moya-Albiol, 2021. "Hormonal Differences in Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators When They Cope with Acute Stress: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-14, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5831-:d:564698
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ángel Romero-Martínez & Luis Moya-Albiol, 2017. "Stress-Induced Endocrine and Immune Dysfunctions in Caregivers of People with Eating Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Sara Vitoria-Estruch & Ángel Romero-Martínez & Marisol Lila & Luis Moya-Albiol, 2018. "Could Alcohol Abuse Drive Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators’ Psychophysiological Response to Acute Stress?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-15, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Javier Comes-Fayos & Ángel Romero-Martínez & Isabel Rodríguez Moreno & María Carmen Blanco-Gandía & Marta Rodríguez-Arias & Marisol Lila & Concepción Blasco-Ros & Sara Bressanutti & Luis Moya-Albiol, 2022. "Hormonal Profile in Response to an Empathic Induction Task in Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence: Oxytocin/Testosterone Ratio and Social Cognition," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-14, June.

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