Attachment Style and Mentalization Impact Among Women Victims of Domestic Violence

Attachment Style and Mentalization Impact Among Women Victims of Domestic Violence

Attachment and mentalization with a population of domestic violence victims Domestic violence is one of the most common forms of domestic violence. Multiform and complex, it affects all backgrounds and all ages. According to a survey instituted by the government of Emmanuel Macron, 219,000 women were recognized as victims of domestic violence in 2017. This phenomenon is not without questioning the scientific scene. Also, this study focus on the quality of the attachment because if this bond is insecure, it can constitute a point of vulnerability in self-construction and impact on future relational modalities.

The security of the bond of attachment depends on the capacity of the maternal figure, or her substitute, to understand and respond in an adapted and consistent manner to her baby. In addition, it has also been established that when disruptions occur in the security of attachment bond, the quality of mentalization is impacted. But, mentalization is the quality and quantity of psychic representations available to allow someone understanding and thinking about his links to others and to himself. This is an essential asset in the release of situations of violence and in overcoming trauma because it participates in psychic development. That's why this research focuses on early relationships and the quality of mentalization with a cohort of thirty women victims of domestic violence, consultant within the Legal Medicine department of the CHU of Besançon. This research focuses on two groups of subjects: women who managed to get out of violent relationship (15 subjects) and others who did not (15 subjects). The research methodology includes several tools: two projective tests (Rorschach and TAT), ten self-questionnaires (which assess attachment, stress, social support, relational quality with the main attachment figures, the image of the Self-body, quality of mentalization), a clinical research interview and presentation of the AAI. The observation of this population will highlight the impact of the early environment in the psychic construction of the subject and the victim's destiny. Moreover, this study will look at the role of psychotherapeutic follow-up in the quality of mentalization.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women over 20 years old, victims of domestic violence
• With european culture
• Separated from their abusive partner
• Consulting the Legal Medicine Department in Besançon University Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• Refusal to participate