Pathological Affective Dependence, Intimate Partner Violence, and Metacognition: The Moderating Role of Different Forms of Violence in Italian Women Survivors

Pathological affective dependence (PAD) is a condition in which individuals remain trapped in abusive relationships despite experiencing distress. While PAD has been linked to emotional regulation difficulties, its relationship with metacognitive skills – crucial for processing interpersonal issues – remains unexplored. Given metacognition’s role in understanding mental states, we hypothesized a negative association between PAD and metacognitive abilities, with different forms of violence (verbal, psychological, physical, and sexual) moderating this relationship in distinct ways. A sample of 314 Italian women (M = 29.8, SD = 6.94) who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) completed an online survey assessing PAD, metacognition, and exposure to violence. Moderation analyses revealed distinct patterns, suggesting that verbal violence intensified the negative effect of PAD on metacognition, with the strongest impact at high exposure levels. The results indicate that the effect of PAD on metacognitive abilities is not consistent across all cases but varies depending on the type of violence experienced. Specifically, verbal and sexual violence appear to intensify the detrimental influence of PAD on metacognition. Conversely, in instances of psychological and physical violence, this relationship appears less pronounced, possibly suggesting that such forms of violence may impair metacognitive functioning more broadly and independently of PAD levels. These findings highlight the complex role of violence in shaping the PAD-metacognition link. While some types amplify PAD’s harmful effects, others may attenuate its influence due to their overwhelming impact. These results underscore the importance of tailored interventions addressing both PAD and metacognitive impairments in survivors of IPV.