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Biopsychosocial characteristics of intimate partner violence perpetrators

From a multidisciplinary approach, in VIO-STRATEGY we conduct research on the biopsychosocial characteristics of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators. The following characteristics of IPV perpetrators are analyzed: neuropsychological and psychophysiological (e.g., cognitive flexibility, attention, hormonal changes, etc.), psychological (e.g., personality traits, empathy, impulsivity, substance abuse, etc.), and social (e.g., social support, immigration, etc.) characteristics.

  • Arrojo, S., Lila, M. y Conchell, R. (2024). Detección y prevención de la violencia de género con adolescentes. En F. Tortosa y F. Legaz (Dir.). Psicología jurídica y forense del menor (pp.485-499). Aranzadi.
  • García-Senlle, M. y Lila, M. (2024). Factores de riesgo y de protección asociados a la violencia de género en adolescentes. En F. Tortosa y F. Legaz (Dir.). Psicología jurídica y forense del menor (pp. 469-483). Aranzadi.

  • Romero-Martínez, Á., Beser-Robles, M., Cerdá-Alberich, L., Aparici, F., Martí-Bonmatí, L., Sarrate-Costa, C., ... & Moya-Albiol, L. (2024). Executive dysfunction and cortical variations among intimate partner violence perpetrators and the association with sexism. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience19(1), nsae046. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsae046

  • Romero-Martínez, Á., Beser-Robles, M., Cerdá-Alberich, L., Aparici, F., Martí-Bonmatí, L., Sarrate-Costa, C., ... & Moya-Albiol, L. (2024). Gray matter volume differences in intimate partner violence perpetrators and its role in explaining dropout and recidivism. Journal of Psychiatric Research179, 220-228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.09.019
  • Comes‐Fayos, J., Moreno, I. R., Lila, M., Romero‐Martínez, A., & Moya‐Albiol, L. (2024). Weakened sympathetic response and lower parasympathetic activity in intimate partner violence perpetrators when empathizing: Influence of autonomous activation in affective approach and prosocial behavior. Aggressive Behavior, 50(1), e22126. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.22126

  • Comes-Fayos, J., Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., Martínez, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2024). Low sadness and high happiness facial prevalence to others' suffering in intimate partner violence against women perpetrators: influence of emotional decoding deficits. Current Psychology, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05976-9

  • Moreno, I. R., Comes-Fayos, J., Bressanutti, S., Blasco-Ros, C., Martínez, M., Lila, M., ... & Moya-Albiol, L. (2024). Unraveling the layers of empathy: Self-Compassion as a partial mediator in male and female offenders’ personal distress and aggression. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2024.2313974

  • Romero-Martínez, Á., Beser, M., Cerdá-Alberich, L., Aparici, F., Martí-Bonmatí, L., Sarrate-Costa, C., ... & Moya-Albiol, L. (2024). The role of intimate partner violence perpetrators' resting state functional connectivity in treatment compliance and recidivism. Scientific Reports14(1), 2472. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52443-3

  • Romero-Martínez, Á., Beser-Robles, M., Cerdá-Alberich, L., Aparici, F., Martí-Bonmatí, L., Sarrate-Costa, C., ... & Moya-Albiol, L. (2024). The contribution of brain volume to explain autonomous imbalance during recovery from acute stress in batterers. Brain Structure and Function, 229, 797–808. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-024-02772-w

  • Romero-Martínez, Á., Lila, M., Sarrate-Costa, C., Comes-Fayos, J., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2023). Neuropsychological performance, substance misuse, and recidivism in intimate partner violence perpetrators. Psychosocial Intervention, 32(2), 69-77. https://doi.org/10.5093/pi2022a7

  • Romero‐Martínez, Á., Lila, M., Sarrate‐Costa, C., Comes‐Fayos, J., & Moya‐Albiol, L. (2023). Dropout and recidivism are partly explained by emotional decoding and perspective taking deficits of intimate partner violence perpetrators. Aggressive Behavior, 49(3), 222-235. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.22064

  • Romero-Martínez, Á., Lila, M., Sarrate-Costa, C., Comes-Fayos, J., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2023). The interaction between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and neuropsychological deficits for explaining dropout and recidivism of intimate partner violence perpetrators. European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context15(1), 33-42. https://doi.org/10.5093/ejpalc2023a4

  • Sarrate-Costa, C., Lila, M., Comes-Fayos, J., Moya-Albiol, L., & Romero-Martínez, Á. (2023). Reduced vagal tone in intimate partner violence perpetrators is partly explained by anger rumination. Current Psychology, 42(33), 29603-29615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03994-z

  • Sarrate-Costa, C., Lila, M., Moya-Albiol, L., & Romero-Martínez, Á. (2023). Psychopathic traits partly explained the reduced vagal tone of batterers coping with acute stress. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2023.2294917

  • Expósito-Álvarez, C., Santirso, F. A., Gilchrist, G., Gracia, E., & Lila, M. (2023). Participants in court-mandated intervention programs for intimate partner violence perpetrators with substance use problems: A systematic review of specific risk factors. Psychosocial Intervention, 32(2), 89-108. https://doi.org/10.5093/pi2023a7

  • Moreno, I. R., Sousa, R., Comes-Fayos, J., Bressanutti, S., Blasco-Ros, C., Rijo, D., Lila, M., Romero-Martínez, A., Moya-Albiol, L. (2023). Diminished vagally mediated heart rate variability in a compassion-eliciting task in intimate partner violence offenders. Journal of Criminal Justice, 87, 102083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2023.102083

  • Comes-Fayos, J., Blanco-Gandía, M., Moreno, I., Rodríguez-Arias, M., Lila, M., Sarrate-Costa, C., Romero-Martínez, A., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2022). Reduced salivary oxytocin after an empathic induction task in intimate partner violence perpetrators: Importance of socio-affective functions and its impact on prosocial behavior. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 137, 105644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105644

  • Comes-Fayos, J., Romero-Martínez, Á., Rodríguez Moreno, I., Blanco-Gandía, M. C., Rodríguez-Arias, M., Lila, M., ... & Moya-Albiol, L. (2022). Hormonal profile in response to an empathic induction task in perpetrators of intimate partner violence: oxytocin/testosterone ratio and social cognition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(13), 7897. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137897

  • Martín-Fernández, M., Gracia, E., & Lila, M. (2022). Measuring perceived severity of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) among the general population and IPVAW offenders. Psychosocial Intervention31(2), 109-119. https://doi.org/10.5093/pi2022a8

  • Meij, L., Pulopulos, M., Hidalgo, V., Almela, M., Lila, M., Roney, J., & Salvador, A. (2022). Hormonal changes of intimate partner violence perpetrators in response to brief social contact with women. Aggressive Behavior, 48, 30-39. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21995

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2022). Sympathetic nervous system predominance in intimate partner violence perpetrators after coping with acute stress. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(11-12), 10148-10169. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520985494

  • Romero-Martínez, Á., Lila, M., Sarrate-Costa, C., Comes-Fayos, J., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2022). Neuropsychological performance, substance misuse, and recidivism in intimate partner violence perpetrators. Psychosocial Intervention, 32(2), 69-77. https://doi.org/10.5093/pi2022a7

  • Romero-Martínez, Á., Santirso, F., Lila, M., Comes-Fayos, J., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2022). Cognitive flexibility and reaction time improvements after cognitive training designed for men perpetrators of intimate partner violence: Results of a pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Family Violence, 37(3), 461-473. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-021-00304-2

  • Sarrate-Costa, C., Lila, M., Comes-Fayos, J., Moya-Albiol, L., & Romero-Martínez, Á. (2022). Reduced vagal tone in intimate partner violence perpetrators is partly explained by anger rumination. Current Psychology, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03994-z

  • Expósito-Álvarez, C., Lila, M., Gracia, E., & Martín-Fernández, M. (2021). Risk factors and treatment needs of batterer intervention program participants with substance abuse problems. The European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 13(2), 87-97. https://doi.org/10.5093/ejpalc2021a9

  • Romero-Martínez, Á., Blanco-Gandía, M., Rodriguez-Arias, M., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L., 2021. Hormonal differences in intimate partner violence perpetrators when they cope with acute stress: A pilot study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(11), 5831. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115831

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., Gracia, E., Martín-Fernández, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2021). Generally antisocial batterers with high neuropsychological deficits present lower treatment compliance and higher recidivism. Psychology of Violence 11(3), 318-328. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000296

  • Romero-Martínez, Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2021). Alexithymic traits are closely related to impulsivity and cognitive and empathic dysfunctions in intimate partner violence perpetrators: New targets for intervention. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, 28(1), 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1080/23279095.2019.1594233

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., Victoria-Estruch, S., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2021). Can attention and working memory impairments of intimate partner perpetrators explain their risky decision making? Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(11-12), 6492–6507. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260518814263

  • Gracia, E., Rodríguez, C. M., Martín-Fernández, M., & Lila, M. (2020). Acceptability of family violence: underlying ties between intimate partner violence and child abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 35(17-18), 3217-3236. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260517707310

  • Lila, M., Gracia, E., & Catalá-Miñana, A. (2020). More likely to dropout, but what if they don’t? Partner violence offenders with alcohol abuse problems completing batterer intervention programs. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 35(9-10), 1958–1981. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260517699952

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2020). Alexithymia as a predictor of arousal and affect dysregulations when batterers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder cope with acute stress. Behavioral Science 10(4), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10040070

  • Vargas, V., Conchell, R., Expósito, C., & Lila, M. (2020). Differences between latin american and spanish men in a batterer intervention programme: proximal and final outcomes. Anales de Psicología 36(3), 418-426. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.428831

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., Gracia, E., Rodríguez, C. M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2019). Acceptability of intimate partner violence among male offenders: the role of set-shifting and emotion decoding dysfunctions as cognitive risk factors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(9), 1537. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091537

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2019). Long-term drug misuse increases the risk of cognitive dysfunctions in intimate partner violence perpetrators: Key intervention targets for reducing dropout and reoffending. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(20), 3792. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16203792

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2019). The importance of impulsivity and attention switching deficits in perpetrators convicted for intimate partner violence. Aggressive Behavior, 45(2), 129-138. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21802

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2019). The importance of considering alexithymia during initial stages of intimate partner violence interventions to design adjuvant treatments. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(19), 3695. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193695

  • Martín-Fernández, M., Gracia, E., Marco, M., Vargas, V., Santirso, F. A., & Lila, M. (2018). Measuring acceptability of intimate partner violence against women: Development and validation of the A-IPVAW Scale. The European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 10(1), 26-24. https://doi.org/10.5093/ejpalc2018a3

  • Victoria-Estruch, S., Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2018). Could alcohol abuse drive intimate partner violence perpetrators’ psychophysiological response to acute stress? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(12), 2729. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122729

  • Victoria-Estruch, S., Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2018). Differential cognitive profiles of intimate partner violence perpetrators based on alcohol consumption. Alcohol, 70, 61-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.01.006

  • Carbajosa, P., Catalá-Miñana, A., Lila, M., Gracia, E., & Boira, S. (2017). Responsive versus treatment-resistant perpetrators in batterer intervention programs: personal characteristics and stages of change. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 24(6), 936-950. https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2017.1347933

  • Carbajosa, P., Catalá-Miñana, A., Lila, M., & Gracia, E. (2017). Differences in treatment adherence, program completion and recidivism among batterer subtypes. The European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 9(2), 93-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpal.2017.04.001

  • Catalá-Miñana, A., Lila, M., Oliver, A., Vivo, J. M., Galiana, L., & Gracia, E. (2017). Contextual factors related to alcohol abuse among intimate partner violence offenders. Substance Use & Misuse, 52(3), 294-302. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2016.1225097

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2017). The 2D:4D ratio as a predictor of the risk of recidivism after a court-mandated intervention program for intimate partner violence perpetrators. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 62(3), 705-709. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13315

  • Vargas, V., Lila, M., Catalá-Miñana, A., & Gracia, E. (2017). Spanish and latin-american immigrants intimate partner violence offenders: is there a differential profile? Revista de Acción Psicológica, 14(2), 51-68. https://doi.org/10.5944/ap.14.2.20753

  • Victoria-Estruch, S., Romero-Martínez, A., Ruiz-Robledillo, N., Sariñana-González, P., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2017). The role of mental rigidity and alcohol consumption interaction on intimate partner violence: a Spanish study. Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma, 26(6), 664-675. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2017.1300619

  • Lila, M., Gracia, E., Catalá-Miñana, A., & Santirso, F. A. (2016). El consumo abusivo de alcohol en inmigrantes latinoamericanos que participan en programas de intervención para maltratadores: importancia de la adherencia al tratamiento. Universitas Psychologica, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.11144/Javeriana.upsy15-4.caai

  • Rodriguez, C. M., Gracia, E., & Lila, M.A (2016). Multimethod prediction of child abuse risk in at-risk simple of male intimate partner violence offenders. Child Abuse & Neglect, 60, 27-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.09.006

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2016). Testosterone and attention deficits as possible mechanisms underlying impaired emotion recognition in intimate partner violence perpetrators. European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 8, 57-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpal.2016.01.001

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2016). The testosterone/cortisol ratio moderates the proneness to anger expression in antisocial and borderline intimate partner violence perpetrators. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 27, 135-144. https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2015.1096415

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., Vitoria-Estruch, S., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2016). High immunoglobulin A levels mediate the association between high anger expression and low somatic symptoms in intimate partner violence perpetrators. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 31, 732-742. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260514556107

  • Gracia, E., Rodriguez, C. M., & Lila, M. (2015). Preliminary evaluation of an analog procedure to assess acceptability of intimate partner violence against women: the Partner Violence Acceptability Movie Task. Frontiers In Psychology, 6, 1567. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01567

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2015). Alcohol abuse mediates the association between baseline T/C ratio and anger expression in intimate partner violence perpetrators. Behavioral Sciences, 5, 113-120. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs5010113

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2015). Empathy impairments in antisocial and borderline intimate partner violence perpetrators: a key factor for recidivisms risk. Violence and Victims, 31(2), 347-360. https://doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-14-00149

  • Vargas, V., Lila, M., & Catalá-Miñana, A. (2015). ¿Influyen las diferencias culturales en los resultados de los programas de intervención con maltratadores? Un estudio con agresores españoles y latinoamericanos. Psychosocial Intervention, 24, 41-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psi.2015.03.001

  • Catalá-Miñana, A., Walker, K., Bowen, E., & Lila, M. (2014). Cultural differences in personality and aggressive behavior in Intimate partner violence offenders: A Comparison of English and Spanish offenders. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 29, 2652-2669. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260513517301

  • Lila, M., Oliver, A., Catalá-Miñana, A., Galiana, L., & Gracia, E. (2014). The intimate partner violence responsibility attribution scale (IPVRAS). European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 6, 29-36. https://doi.org/10.5093/ejpalc2014a4

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., Conchell, R., González-Bono, E., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2014). Immunoglobulin A response to acute stress in intimate partner violence perpetrators: The role of anger expression-out and testosterone. Biological Psychology, 96, 66-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2013.11.009

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2014). El perfil del maltratador machista: ¿Qué nos dice su biología? Mètode, 82, 22-27. https://metode.cat/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/82CA_maltractador_masclista.pdf

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., Vitoria-Estruch, S., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2014). Mini review: Psychosocial stress such as violence against their partners could benefit general immunity in intimate partner violence perpetrators. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, 16, 104-107.

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Nunes-Costa, R., Lila, M., González-Bono, E., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2014). Cardiovascular reactivity to a marital conflict version of the Trier Social Stress Test in intimate partner violence perpetrators. Stress-The International Journal on the Biology of Stress, 17, 321-327. https://doi.org/10.3109/10253890.2014.919448

  • Catalá-Miñana, A., Lila, M., & Oliver, A. (2013). Consumo de alcohol en hombres penados por violencia contra la pareja: Factores individuales y contextuales. Adicciones, 25, 19-28. https://doi.org/10.20882/adicciones.68

  • Lila, M., Gracia, E., & Murgui, S. (2013). Psychological adjustment and victim-blaming among intimate partner violence offenders: The role of social support and stressful life events. European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 5, 147-153. https://doi.org/10.5093/ejpalc2013a4

  • Romero-Martínez, A., González-Bono, E., Lila, M., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2013). Testosterone/cortisol ratio in response to acute stress: A possible marker of risk for marital violence. Social Neuroscience, 8, 240-247. https://doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2013.772072

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., Catalá-Miñana, A., Williams, R. K., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2013). The contribution of childhood parental rejection and early androgen exposure to impairments in socio-cognitive skills in intimate partner violence perpetrators with high alcohol consumption. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10, 3753-3770. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10083753

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., Sariñana-González, P., González-Bono, E., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2013). High testosterone levels and sensitivity to acute stress in perpetrators of domestic violence with low cognitive flexibility and impairments in their emotional decoding process: a preliminary study. Aggressive Behavior, 39, 355-369. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21490

  • Romero-Martínez, A., Lila, M., Williams, R. K., González-Bono, E., & Moya-Albiol, L. (2013). Skin conductance rises in preparation and recovery to psychosocial stress and its relationship with impulsivity and testosterone in intimate partner violence perpetrators. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 90, 329-333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2013.10.003

  • Lila, M., Gracia, E., & Herrero, J. (2012). Asunción de responsabilidad en hombres maltratadores: Influencia de la autoestima, la personalidad narcisista y la personalidad antisocial. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, 44, 99-108. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/229321709.pdf

  • Lila, M., Gracia, E., & Herrero, J. (2011). Domestic violence against women: Exploring attributions of responsibility among male offenders. En E. Kourkoutas y F. Erkman (eds.), Interpersonal acceptance and rejection. Social, emocional and educational contexts. Boca Raton, Florida: Brown Walker Press

  • Catalá, A., Lila, M., Conchell, R., & Lorenzo, M. V. (2010). ¿Cómo ocurrieron los hechos? Descripción de variables situacionales y contextuales implicadas en casos de violencia doméstica contra la mujer. En F. Expósito, M. C. Herrera, G. Buela, M. Novo y F. Fariña (Eds.), Psicología Jurídica. Áreas de Investigación (pp. 41-51). Santiago de Compostela: Xunta de Galicia.

  • Lila, M., Herrero, J., & Gracia, E. (2008). Atribución de responsabilidad y minimización en hombres penados por violencia contra la mujer: Un instrumento de evaluación. En F. J. Rodríguez, C. Bringas, F. Fariña, R. Arce y A. Bernardo (Eds.), Psicología jurídica. Familia y victimología. Oviedo: Ediciones de la Universidad de Oviedo.