Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement, Vol 58(3), Jul 2026, 192-201; doi:10.1037/cbs0000464
The perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global phenomenon of concern, as is childhood cumulative trauma (CCT). To better understand the developmental trajectory that leads a male survivor of CCT to perpetrate IPV behaviors in adulthood, this study examines two underlying mechanisms: romantic attachment insecurities (avoidance and anxiety) and emotional dysregulation. A sample of 908 men seeking help from a community organization specializing in IPV treatment completed a series of validated questionnaires assessing the constructs under study. The results of the path analysis revealed sequential indirect links between CCT and the perpetration of psychological and physical IPV and coercive control via attachment-related anxiety and then emotional dysregulation. As for attachment-related avoidance, only a direct link was found to be significant with the perpetration of psychological IPV. From a clinical perspective, these results highlight the relevance of considering a history of CCT, attachment insecurities, and emotional dysregulation as developmental risk factors for IPV in the treatment of men. These results enable us to formulate recommendations for preventing the intergenerational transmission of IPV within families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)