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Psychological Mindedness as a Protective Factor Against Revictimization in Intimate Relationships

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Journal of Clinical Psychology

Published online on

Abstract

Objectives We tested the moderating effect of psychological mindedness (PM) on the relationship between past experience of child abuse and both intimate partner violence (IPV) and intimate relationship quality. Method Female Israeli graduate students (N = 425; mean age 35.9 years), either married or in cohabitation, completed an electronic questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SEM multiple group analysis of women with high vs. low PM. Results Child abuse was associated with IPV among women with a low level of PM but not among women with a high level of PM. Contrary to expectation, childhood abuse was associated with lower marital quality among women with a high level of PM but not for women with a low level of PM. Conclusion Results support the notion that psychologically minded people are “wiser but sadder” (Farber, , p. 216). The findings are discussed in relation to revictimization theories, with clinical implications noted.