Violência entre parceiros íntimos (VPI): avaliação de fatores de risco para a perpetração da VPI contra a mulher e estudo de viabilidade de um programa de intervenção

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women requires identification of the risk factors related to its perpetration. This research aimed to compare evaluations of men with and without a history of reporting IPV against women, in order to identify the risk and the protective factors involved in the perpetration of IPV. The sample consisted of 36 adult men, those being 18 male IPV perpetrators, reported in a police station (Kovalhuk & Gomide, in press), and 18 men without a history of IPV complaint, who were in a stable intimate relationship. Eight instruments and a sociodemographic questionnaire were applied for assessment. Statistical analyzes of comparison between groups and correlation analysis of the evaluated variables were performed. The comparison of men with and without a history of IPV complaint showed significant variables that differentiated the groups, such as alcohol abuse (U = 61.0; p = 0.001), family infraction history (U = 57.5; p = 0.001), levels of empathy (U = 99.50; p = 0.048), legitimizing beliefs of marital violence (U = 22.00; p < 0.001) and use of violence in marital conflicts (U = 25.00; p < 0.001). Other variables evaluated, such as maternal (U = 124.5; p = 0.24) and paternal (U = 121.5; p = 0.29) parenting practices, anger (U = 137.0; p = 0.228) and psychopathy traits (U = 103.5; p = 0.264) did not differentiate the groups, despite having presented statistically significant differences in their instruments’ subscales. The results showed a significant positive and moderate correlation between alcohol abuse with the length of relationship with the victim (rho = 0.56; p = 0.015) and the number of children (rho = 0.62; p = 0.006). The legitimizing beliefs of marital violence of IPV perpetrators were positively and moderately correlated with traits of psychopathy (rho = 0.39; p = 0.01) and marital conflicts (rho = 0.37; p = 0.014). There was a significant, positive and moderate correlation (rho = 0.51; p = 0.01) between anger and psychopathy traits of IPV perpetrators and between marital conflicts (rho = 0.33; p = 0.03) and psychopathy. Offenses committed by male IPV perpetrators and their family members showed a significant positive and moderate association with beliefs of marital violence (rho = 0.50; p = 0.01), marital conflicts (rho = 0.50; p = 0.01), anger (rho = 0.32; p = 0.039) and psychopathy (rho = 0.38; p = 0.01). This data allowed the identification and understanding of some risk factors that may be involved in the perpetration and maintenance of IPV. In contrast, empathy was negatively and significantly correlated (rho = - 0.32; p = 0.035) with the use of violence committed by male IPV perpetrators in their marital conflicts, suggesting that empathy may be configured as a protective factor. Findings of this study may indicate an improvement in IPV risk assessment and directions for future interventions, in order to promote strategies to prevent violence against women.