Psychological Predictors of Recidivism for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators

A Systematic Scoping Review

Bibliographic Data

ID19522366
AuthorsTracey Mcdonagh (0000-0001-6956-0653, University of Southern Denmark, corresponding author), Áine Travers (0000-0002-5666-6384, Dublin City University), Cherie Armour (0000-0002-2930-2227, Queen's University Belfast), Twylla Cunningham (St. Luke's Hospital), Maj Hansen (0000-0002-8328-0807, University of Southern Denmark)
Year2025
Volume26
Issue3
Pages560-581
Publication date2025-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTrauma Violence & Abuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1524-8380 • E-ISSN: 1552-8324
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/15248380241284793
PMID39396186
OpenAlexW4403362664
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited110

Theoretical accounts of recidivistic intimate partner violence (IPV) continue to differ considerably in relation to the relative weight given to psychological risk factors. A systematic overview of studies that have established psychological predictors of reoffending is currently lacking. This study aimed to identify and provide an overview of studies examining various psychological factors associated with IPV perpetration patterns. A systematic search of research conducted from 1945 to 2024 was carried out on PsycINFO, PubMed, and PILOTS. The inclusion criteria were that studies must not use self-reported reoffending data only, must use a criminal justice sample, must be longitudinal, participants must be over 17 years of age, and that studies must be published in the English language and peer reviewed. A total of 25 longitudinal studies examining individual psychological factors, proposed as potential predictors of IPV reoffending, were eligible. The identified factors were grouped into five categories: personality, anger and hostility, beliefs, attitudes and motivation, neurocognitive deficits and trauma (i.e., family of origin abuse/post-traumatic stress disorder). The current systematic scoping review found that the most-researched psychological predictor of IPV recidivism was personality. While studies vary in relation to the personality traits or disorders that contribute most to the likelihood of reoffending, in general, personality assessment appears to be a promising tool in predicting reoffending. Anger, childhood maltreatment, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), implicit attitudes, and neurocognitive deficits were also identified as predictors of IPV recidivism. Methodological issues were found to be present across studies

Anger · Domestic violence · Hostility · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · MEDLINE · Personality · Poison control · Psychiatry · Psychopathy · PsycINFO · Recidivism · Suicide prevention · Child Abuse and Trauma · Clinical Psychology · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Social Psychology

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