Domestic violence: individual psychological characteristics of women with different positions regarding psychological violence in the family

An important aspect of the problem of domestic violence, one of its forms — psychological violence, which is widespread and has a sharply negative impact on the psychosomatic and psychoemotional state of women subjected to this violence, is studied. The hypothesis is proven that individual psychological characteristics of women with different positions regarding psychological violence in the family have their own characteristics. An empirical study was conducted on a sample of 103 women aged 30–45 years using questionnaires and three psychodiagnostic methods: the test-questionnaire «Determination of the level of self-esteem» by S.V. Kovalev; the method «Short questionnaire of the Dark Triad (SD3) (adapted by M.S. Egorova, M.A. Sitnikova, O.V. Parshchikova)»; the questionnaire «Evaluation of methods of response in conflict» by K. Thomas. It was found that the majority of modern women aged 30–45 years, who have higher education and live in urban areas, consider reproaches, humiliating assessments of the partner's appearance, activities or results as psychological violence. It was revealed that the marital status of women is not a factor determining the position of a woman regarding the admissibility of psychological violence in the family. Women who do not allow the possibility of psychological violence in the family are able to adequately respond to the comments of others. They soberly assess their actions, are focused on self-development, are able to achieve their goals, tend to calculate the consequences of their behavior and focus on long-term goals and delayed rewards, are not inclined to violate social norms, and are warm and trusting towards their loved ones. Women who admit the possibility of psychological violence in the family are not self-confident, tend to adapt to the opinions of others, and often underestimate themselves and their abilities without sufficient grounds. They are not characterized by a propensity to take risks, they have difficulty making long-term plans, often refuse to achieve their goals, poorly predict the consequences of their actions, and have virtually no desire for self-development.