Relação entre trauma na infância e psicopatia na violência nas relações de intimidade

Abstract

Childhood trauma and psychopathic traits have come to play a central role in understanding violent behavior, particularly in the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). In this sense, the present study aims to explore the relationship between childhood trauma and psychopathy in the perpetration of IPV among Portuguese adults. A total of 308 adults aged between 18 and 78 years (M = 30.20; SD = 12.7) participated, most of whom were female (76.9%) and residents of Portugal. Participants responded to an online questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, the Social Desirability Scale (EDS-20), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP-SF), and the Marital Violence Inventory (IVC). The results indicated positive and statistically significant associations between childhood trauma and psychopathy traits. It was also found that higher levels of psychopathy are associated with and predict greater perpetration of IPV. Mediation analysis revealed that psychopathy traits mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and the perpetration of IPV. In view of the results, the importance of prevention and intervention strategies focused on the impact of childhood trauma and personality traits is highlighted, with a view to promoting healthier intimate relationships.

Date of Award	9 Jan 2026
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Andreia Azeredo (Supervisor)