Emotional dependence on the aggressive partner and its relationship to eating disorders

Eating disorders are common in families with difficulties in promoting the autonomy of their members and may be a risk factor when establishing dependent relationships. Emotional dependence and partner violence occur together with a high frequency. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship and predictive role of eating disorders in emotional dependence, violence received and emotional dependence on the aggressor partner. The participants were 712 subjects, 545 women and 167 men, between 18 and 30 years of age (M= 21.32, SD= 2.94). It was found that individuals who scored high on eating disorders were a risk group in the development of emotional dependence, permanence in violent relationships, and the development of both together in the same relationship. As for the characteristics associated with eating disorders, impulsivity was associated with the violence received and fear of maturity, ineffectiveness, perfectionism, asceticism and impulsivity were associated with emotional dependence in general and towards the aggressor partner.