Estilos de vinculação e imagem corporal na autoestima de mulheres vítimas de violência pelo parceiro íntimo

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has different consequences on victims, which affect theirhealth, self-confidence and self-esteem. The aim of this study focuses on self-esteem invwomen who suffer intimate partner violence, analyzing the relationship between attachment styles, body image, the different types of violence and their impact on self esteem in women who are victims of IPV. This is a methodological study based on a quantitative approach with o cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical design. The sample has 233 women, 104 victims and 129 non-victims, with data collected at the Núcleo de Investigação e de Apoio a Vítimas Específicas of Braga (NIAVE), through the application of the following instruments: Socio demographic Questionnaire; The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales; Adult Attachment Scale; Body Appreciation Scale-2; and Self Esteem Scale. It was found that women victims of IPV are more likely to feel anxiety, to not feel comfortable with proximity and not trust others, thus indicating an insecure attachment style (anxious or avoidant), with statistically significant differences. Victims also have lower scores regarding positive body image and self-esteem. There were statistically significant positive relationships between self-esteem and dimensions of attachment Styles (comfort with proximity and trust in others) and between self-esteem and a positive body image. Statistically negative relationships were also found between one of the dimensions of attachment styles (anxiety) and self-esteem, as well as between self-esteem, dimensions of attachment styles (comfort with proximity and trust in others) and a positive body image and IPV. Additionally, it was found that having a high ereducation level, less psychological violence, having na attatchment style characterized by comfort with proximity and a positive body image are the most important predictors of self-esteem in this sample. The results obtained show that Portuguese women, victims of IPV, need interventions that work on attachment styles and body image, improving their levels of self-esteem.

Date of Award	29 Mar 2022
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Eleonora C. V. Costa (Supervisor)