Psychological mindedness as a protective factor against revictimization in intimate relationships

Objectives: We tested the moderating effect of psychological mindedness (PM) on the relationship between past experience of child abuse and both intimate partner violence (IPV) and intimate relationship quality. Method: Female Israeli graduate students (N = 425; mean age 35.9 years), either married or in cohabitation, completed an electronic questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SEM multiple group analysis of women with high vs. low PM. Results: Child abuse was associated with IPV among women with a low level of PM but not among women with a high level of PM. Contrary to expectation, childhood abuse was associated with lower marital quality among women with a high level of PM but not for women with a low level of PM. Conclusion: Results support the notion that psychologically minded people are "wiser but sadder" (Farber, p. 216). The findings are discussed in relation to revictimization theories, with clinical implications noted.