Modeling of Psychotic Experiences in Abused Women in Relation to Intimate Partner Violence: The Mediating Role of Temperament and Character Dimensions

Although the relationship between intimate partner violence and the psychotic experiences of abused women has been investigated, less attention has been paid to the mediating factors of this relationship. So, the present study was carried out to develop and propose a model for psychotic experiences related with intimate partner violence among abused women, while considering the mediating role of character and temperament dimensions.

This study was a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population included all abused women who referred to Alborz Province Forensic Medicine General Office in 2020. The sample included 331 women who referred to mental health centers, who claimed to have been abused by their husbands. Also, forensic physicians also confirmed the injuries after a medical examination. Participants were selected by convenience sampling method. They answered the modified version of national intimate partner and sexual violence survey scale, 16-item version of the prodromal questionnaire and the temperament and character inventory-short form. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and SPSS22 and LISREL8.8 software.

The results showed that the direct path of intimate partner violence to temperament (p<0.01), character (p<0.01) and psychotic experiences (p<0.05) was significant. The direct path of temperament to psychotic experiences (p<0.01) and also the direct path of character to psychotic experiences (p<0.01) are significant. In addition, indicated that the indirect path intimate partner violence to psychotic experiences through temperament-character dimensions was significant (p<0.01).

The findings of this study support the mediating role of temperament and character in the relationship between intimate partner violence and psychotic experiences. These results indicate the need to pay attention to the personality traits and psychotic experiences of abused women, as well as the use of appropriate training and treatment by specialists and therapists.