Adverse Childhood Experiences and Attachment Styles Among Femicide Perpetrators: A Case Study Analysis Open Access
Alfaro, Brianna (Spring 2024)
Abstract
Introduction: Femicide, the gender-based killing of women and girls, represents the most extreme form of intimate partner violence (IPV). Despite general declines in homicide rates, recent data highlight a troubling persistence in femicide rates worldwide, with a significant portion perpetrated by intimate partners. Previous research has largely focused on victimization risk factors, with less attention to the perpetrators' psychological and experiential backgrounds. Individuals with insecure attachment styles and those who have experienced multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at higher risk of perpetrating intimate partner violence (IPV). This study aims to explore the subjective relationship between attachment styles, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and femicide perpetration.
Methods: This study uses a qualitative case study design to analyze the cases of femicide perpetrators in detail. These originated from a dataset of 166 interviews with femicide perpetrators across 11 countries. We developed a comprehensive codebook through both deductive and inductive methods and used the qualitative data analysis software MAXQDA for analysis. After reviewing and coding all transcripts, we identified three cases, Bruno, Jose, and Rafael, to further explore their attachment styles, ACEs, and important life events.
Results: We found that all three individuals experienced ACEs. Emotional abuse and parental separation affected two of the perpetrators, while three experienced physical abuse, parental substance abuse, and violence against family members. All of them displayed behaviors consistent with insecure attachment, including anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, and disorganized attachment. While this study cannot establish causation between ACEs and attachment styles, it suggests that experiencing ACEs might create or exacerbate attachment insecurities. These attachment insecurities potentially magnify the risk of femicide perpetration through the development of maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Conclusion: This research highlights the critical role of early intervention and targeted support for individuals at risk of IPV. It underscores the necessity for comprehensive screening for ACEs, the use of attachment-informed therapies, and educational programs aimed at fostering secure attachment and healthy relational dynamics. Further investigation into protective factors, including protective childhood experiences, should be conducted.
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………..…..1
Literature Review……………………………………………………………………….……….6
Attachment Theory…………………………………………………………………….………….6
Attachment Theory and IPV…………………………………………………….………………...8
Adverse Childhood Experiences…………………………………………………………………10
Adverse Childhood Experiences and IPV.………………………………………………….……11
Attachment Theory and Adverse Childhood Experiences……………….………………………13
Manuscript………………………………………………………………………………………15
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………..…16
Background…………………………………………………………………………………..…..18
Methods…………………………………………………………………………………………..21
Results……………………………………………………………………………………………25
Discussion……………………………………………………………………………………......44
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………….....54
References………………………………………………………………………………………..57
Public Health Implications……………………………………………………………………..63
References……………………………………………………………………………………….66
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