title: Affective dependence and aggression: an exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emotionally dependent subjects may engage in controlling, restrictive, and aggressive behaviours, which limit their partner's autonomy. The underlying causes of such behaviours are not solely based on levels of aggression, but act as a mean of maintaining the subject's own sense of self-worth, identity, and general functioning.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the paper is to explore the correlation between affective dependency and reactive/proactive aggression and to evaluate individual differences as predisposing factors for aggressive behaviour and emotional dependency.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Spouse-Specific Dependency Scale (SSDS) and the Reactive Proactive Questionnaire (RPQ) were administered to a sample of 3375 subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the whole sample, a positive correlation between emotional dependency and proactive aggression was identified. Differences with regard to sex, age group, and geographical distribution were evidenced for the scores of the different scales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A fundamental distinction between reactive and proactive aggression was observed, anchoring proactive aggression more strictly to emotional dependency. Sociocultural and demographical variables, together with the previous structuring of attachment styles, help to determine the scope, frequency, and intensity of the demands made to the partner, as well as to feed the fears of loss, abandonment, or betrayal.
authors: Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino, 03043 Cassino, Italy.
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Petruccelli
authors: Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino, 03043 Cassino, Italy.
authors: Pierluigi
authors: P
authors: Diotaiuti
authors: Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino, 03043 Cassino, Italy.
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Verrastro
authors: Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Petruccelli
authors: Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino, 03043 Cassino, Italy.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Federico
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, Institute of Psychiatry, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Martinotti
authors: Department of Human Sciences, Lumsa University of Rome, 00193 Rome, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Fossati
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, Institute of Psychiatry, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Di Giannantonio
authors: Institute of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Rome, 00198 Rome, Italy.
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Janiri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000374:Aggression; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012919:Social Behavior; D018454:Spouses; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult