Sensitivity to betrayal and new intimate relationship building in survivors of intimate partner violence.

Objectives: There is evidence that prior experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) can lead to high levels of sensitivity to betrayal, shame and self-criticism and interfere with initiation, development and maintenance of future intimate relationships. We measured these variables in women survivors of IPV, evaluating whether they are associated with the quality of current relationships.

Design: A cross-sectional, between-groups design was used, comparing women survivors of IPV divided into those satisfied with current intimate relationships, those dissatisfied and IPV survivors not in such a relationship. Women without a history of IPV were included as a benchmark group.

Method: Four groups: IPV single (N = 34), IPV dissatisfied (N = 25), IPV satisfied (N = 32) and those who had not experienced IPV (N = 42) were compared for betrayal sensitivity, followed by a secondary comparison of shame and self-criticism. Online questionnaires were completed by participants recruited through social media and screened for IPV and relationship status.

Results: All IPV groups had significantly higher scores for betrayal sensitivity than the non-clinical group, with IPV satisfied having significantly lower scores than other IPV groups in two subscales: betrayal causing life change and lack of trust due to betrayal.

Conclusions: Betrayal sensitivity is prominent in survivors of IPV, with evidence of a specific link between survivors' relationship satisfaction/status and their lack of trust and ideas of being permanently changed. Those appraisals may make it more challenging to build and maintain satisfactory relationships, or positive relationships may help survivors change their appraisals about betrayal, leading to a lack of trust and life-altering changes.