Understanding the Dynamics of Interpersonal Violence

Whether the subject of an interpersonal encounter is an adult or a child, there is often a transparent chain of cause and effect that leads to violence. Some of these links are more obvious than others.

Aggression is a complex process that combines multiple elements (see Figs. 3-1). These include emotions, behaviors, and interactions.

Identifying the Symptoms

When the dynamics of an intimate relationship become abusive, the abuser may show several warning signs and symptoms. These signs and symptoms can be both physical and emotional.

If you are experiencing any warning signs, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-877-END-VICE or text HELP to 85587.

Often, the early stages of domestic abuse can be challenging to spot. A partner’s abusive traits may not come to light until the victim is deeply invested in a relationship. Several domestic abuse advocates, like Catherine Cerulli New York, have served on committees looking into domestic violence and sexual assault.

 In domestic violence early warning signs can include jealousy, control, and isolation. These are all behaviors that can increase in severity as the relationship continues to progress.

Identifying the Perpetrator

Abusers often use a variety of tactics to control their partners. These include emotional, psychological and sexual abuse.

Emotional abuse includes name-calling, put-downs, ridiculing the victim’s accomplishments and making them feel bad about themselves. It also involves provoking humiliation by making the victim look crazy or by saying bad things about their friends and family.

Psychological abuse may include:

• Lying or threatening to lie.
• Changing topics.
• Not listening to the victim.
• Twisting their words.

It can also involve threatening suicide or other forms of self-harm.

Economic abuse is also common in abusive relationships, including controlling access to money or enforcing rules about how the victim can dress or who they can see. Stalking can also occur, and it often involves sending repeated, unwanted phone calls or texts.

People with a mental illness or under much stress can be more likely to abuse. This is especially true if they don’t get help.

Identifying the Environment

When a person is abused, many factors may be contributing. These factors include their environment, relationship and broader culture.

As a result, victims of violence often have difficulty understanding the dynamics of their situation. This can cause them to blame themselves for the abuse or feel they have no control over it.

It also can prevent them from seeking help. This can lead to a vicious cycle whereby the victim continues to experience and act out against their primary aggressor.

Research has shown that the environmental factors that foster aggressive behavior are many and varied. They range from poverty, living in violent neighborhoods, deviant peers, exposure to media violence, bad parenting and lack of social support.

Identifying the Response

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a worldwide public health issue that includes physical, sexual and psychological aggression by a current or former romantic partner. IPV can be a result of a variety of individual, relationship, community and societal factors.

At the individual level, personal history and biological factors contribute to the risk of violence. These include being a victim of child abuse or abuse by a family member; having a personality disorder; alcohol or substance abuse; or having a tendency to be aggressive.

Relational and societal factors can also promote the development of abusive relationships. For example, a family or social environment discouraging communication can escalate marriage tension. Similarly, social policies that encourage discrimination can contribute to a victimization mindset.