Dispositional Mindfulness as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Perceived Partner Infidelity and Women's Dating Violence Perpetration

J Interpers Violence. 2018 Jan;33(2):250-267. doi: 10.1177/0886260515604415. Epub 2015 Sep 8.

Abstract

Mindfulness gained increased attention as it relates to aggressive behavior, including dating violence. However, no known studies examined how the combined influences of dispositional mindfulness and perceived partner infidelity, a well-documented correlate of dating violence, relate to women's dating violence perpetration. Using a sample of college women ( N = 203), we examined the relationship between perceived partner infidelity and physical dating violence perpetration at varying levels of dispositional mindfulness, controlling for the influence of alcohol use. Results indicated perceived partner infidelity and dating violence perpetration were positively related for women with low and mean dispositional mindfulness, but not for women with high dispositional mindfulness. These results further support the applicability of mindfulness theory in the context of dating violence. Implications of the present findings provide preliminary support for mindfulness intervention in relationships characterized by infidelity concerns.

Keywords: dating violence; domestic violence; intervention/treatment; predicting domestic violence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aggression / psychology*
  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology
  • Extramarital Relations / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Intimate Partner Violence / psychology*
  • Mindfulness*
  • Sexual Partners / psychology*
  • Universities
  • Young Adult