Oxytocin Levels in Response to Others’ Suffering According to the Type of Conviction for Intimate Partner Violence Against Women

Biopsychosocial research focusing on male perpetrators is essential to reduce the high prevalence and recidivism of Intimate Partner Violence against Women (IPVAW). Our study aimed to investigate the salivary oxytocin response to others' suffering, based on the type of conviction for IPVAW (psychological or physical), risk of recidivism, and sexist schemas. The final sample consisted of 31 men convicted of IPVAW (13 for psychological and 18 for physical violence) and 33 men without a criminal history. Psychological tests were completed, and salivary oxytocin samples were collected before and after a violence-focused empathy induction task. Physical perpetrators of IPVAW exhibited a decreasing trend in salivary oxytocin levels in response to the empathic task, whereas psychological perpetrators and non-offenders showed an increase. Linear regression indicated that lower levels of salivary oxytocin were predicted by a higher risk of recidivism, benevolent sexism, and convictions for physical IPVAW. This preliminary study suggests that the oxytocin response to empathy in perpetrators of IPVAW depends on several criminological and psychological variables. These results could help implement more efficient intervention programs tailored to the characteristics of perpetrators, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness and reducing the risk of recidivism.