Marie-Ève Daspe

• PhD
• Professor (Assistant) at Université de Montréal

Empathic accuracy—the ability to accurately infer one’s partner’s emotions—has important implications for couples’ relational well-being. Although distinct emotions convey various needs and elicit different responses between romantic partners, research on empathic accuracy—its patterns, underlying processes and relational consequences—across a spec...

Background: Childhood maltreatment (CM), experienced by about 40 % of adults, is associated with romantic relationship challenges like instability, sexual dissatisfaction, and dysfunction. While CM has been linked to lower sexual desire and higher distress, its impact within couples and underlying mechanisms remain underexplored. Touch aversion, wh...

Childhood trauma alters both emotional and relational processes, and thus could make it more difficult for couples to navigate relationship challenges such as sexual disagreements. Given the potential threat they involve, sexual conflicts may elicit more negative emotions for both partners. They can also trigger attachment insecurities—relational v...

Attachment insecurities and heightened negative emotions during conflict are significant risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV). Previous research mainly examined each partner's attachment separately and overlooked negative emotions as a mechanism in the attachment–IPV link. This dyadic observational study conducted among 178 young adult...

Background: Childhood Interpersonal Trauma (CIT) is a major public health issue that increases the risk of perpetrating and sustaining intimate partner violence (IPV) in adulthood, perpetuating intergenerational cycles of violence. Yet, the explanatory mechanisms behind the intergenera-tional transmission of trauma warrant further exploration. Obje...

Purpose Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent among young adult couples. The Five-Factor Model of personality, consisting of neuroticism, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and extraversion, is a relevant framework to understand individual risk factor of IPV perpetration and victimization. In particular, neuroticism and agreeablenes...

Background The sense of parental competence refers to one’s judgment of one’s own parenting abilities and plays a critical role in parental functioning. Studies have shown a link between childhood interpersonal traumas and a lower sense of parental competence. Yet, psychological neglect, a more subtle but still devastating childhood trauma, and its...

Cumulative childhood trauma (CCT) increases the risk of experiencing interpersonal problems and relationship distress in adulthood. However, not all CCT survivors experience such difficulties, and little research has investigated protective factors against relationship dissatisfaction in CCT survivors and their partners. Romantic attachment might b...

Risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) are a prevalent public health concern among adolescents and young adults. Dating apps, which are relatively new technological means to meet sexual partners, are on the rise among this population. However, the scientific literature is mixed regarding the association between the use of dating apps and RSBs, with most stu...

The evolution of technology has transformed the way young adults develop and maintain relationships, including their sexuality. Since many young adults report low sexual satisfaction, it is important to understand what contributes to these negative experiences. Several studies have identified that attachment anxiety and avoidance are related to low...

Pornography use is a common sexual activity for many individuals including those in a romantic relationship. Some studies have shown that violent content depicted in pornography is a risk factor for perpetration of violence in real life. Even if most of these studies examined perpetration of violent behaviors in general, not specifically toward the...

Cumulative childhood maltreatment (CCM) is associated with relationship difficulties including lower perceived partner responsiveness (PPR)—the degree of feeling cared for, understood, and validated by a person's partner. Attachment theory is understood via its representations of self and others and could offer a better understanding of how CCM eff...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health problem, associated with considerable consequences for the victims. Among the risk factors associated with the perpetration of male IPV, attachment insecurities (avoidance, anxiety) and affect dysregulation (AD) have received strong empirical support. A few studies showed that hostility towar...

Objectives Childhood cumulative trauma (CCT) has consistently been associated with relationship dissatisfaction in adulthood. Early parenthood is a challenging context where partners’ vulnerabilities, such as CCT history, tend to be exacerbated and further decrease relationship satisfaction. However, dyadic studies are lacking and the mechanisms th...

Purpose Exposure to aggression during childhood or adolescence has been linked to negative outcomes, including poor future romantic relationship functioning. As a step toward understanding such intergenerational influences, the present study investigates whether aggression exposure in the family-of-origin is associated with negative expectancies of...

Au Canada, les tentatives de suicide et les idées suicidaires sont particulièrement fréquentes chez les hommes. Selon la théorie interpersonnelle du suicide, les facteurs liés aux idées et aux tentatives suicidaires seraient distincts. Cette étude avait pour but d’identifier les variables associées aux idées suicidaires, aux tentatives suicidaires...

Purpose Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a problematic and important social phenomenon (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021) that has been repeatedly linked to attachment insecurities (Velotti et al., 2020). However, the mechanisms linking these two variables remain understudied. This study examines the direct and indirect associations between...

Past research has emphasized the need to identify profiles of men who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV) as a way to better understand this heterogeneous population and guide the development of tailored services. However, empirical validation for such profiles remains limited, since it still focuses on specific populations or fails to consi...

L'exposition aux conflits interparentaux à l’enfance (ECIE) est associée à une moindre capacité à résoudre positivement des désaccords dans les relations amoureuses à l'âge adulte, notamment durant la parentalité, période où les conflits entre les partenaires peuvent être plus nombreux. Cependant, les mécanismes impliqués dans la transmission inter...

Although several studies have shown that childhood maltreatment (CM) is associated with a host of negative consequences including romantic relationship difficulties for victims in adulthood, most overlooked the potential effects on the romantic partner. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to comprehensively synthesize the literature on th...

Social media have profoundly transformed young adults’ social interactions, especially within their romantic relationships. For instance, jealousy induced by the partner's activity on social media can cause conflicts that can escalate into controlling and aggressive behaviors. Previous cross-sectional studies show significant links between social m...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex and multifactorial public health problem associated with important physical and psychological repercussions. Recent studies suggest that cumulative childhood trauma (CCT) may be related to higher IPV perpetration through dysfunctional communication patterns, but to our knowledge, no study has tested this...

Whereas greater levels of intimacy have been shown to promote couples’ sexual well-being, recent theories suggest that satisfying sex is maintained via the capacity to encourage the partner’s individuality, while remaining intimately connected. Responses to capitalization attempts (i.e., the disclosure of a positive personal event) provide an oppor...

This study examined the mediating role of emotions related to sexual violence in adulthood in the associations between social reactions to sexual violence disclosure and sexual outcomes. Self-reported data were collected from 324 women reporting sexual violence and path analyses were conducted among the 264 women (81.5%) who disclosed their most re...

Does talking about loss with a romantic partner have salutary personal and relationship effects? Prior evidence reveals the benefits of emotional disclosure in couple relationships, yet disclosure about loss has been overlooked in research on couple communication. Using a novel communication paradigm with young-adult heterosexual romantic partners...

Despite an increase in research initiatives and prevention campaigns, intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a public health problem that affects many victims worldwide. The current study aims to examine whether psychological distress symptoms (anger, depression, and anxiety) are indirectly related to the perpetration of IPV (physical assault, psy...

Despite an increase in research initiatives and prevention campaigns, intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a public health problem that affects many victims worldwide. The current study aims to examine whether psychological distress symptoms (anger, depression, and anxiety) are indirectly related to the perpetration of IPV (physical assault, psy...

Past observational studies highlight meaningful behavioral differences between aggressive and nonaggressive couples during conflict interactions. However, research is needed on how aggressive couples communicate in other, nonconflictual interactional contexts. This study investigates how dating partners’ perpetration of physical aggression relates...

Practitioners working with male perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) observe high rates of treatment dropout in their clientele, which can undermine their ability to reduce the occurrence of IPV. Studies have also mostly documented predictors of dropout from group-format IPV treatment programs, but not from individual-format treatment mo...

Un nombre croissant d’études suggèrent que les traumas cumulatifs (TC) affectent négativement les relations amoureuses à l’âge adulte (Peterson, 2018). Cependant, les facteurs qui atténuent la relation entre les TC et la satisfaction conjugale sont méconnus. La sécurité d’attachement (Mikulincer et Shaver, 2003) constitue l’un des facteurs suscepti...

Many couples transitioning into parenthood are at risk for dyadic adjustment declines. It is therefore important to explore key, theory-driven deterrents of enduring relationships during this period, as well as potential underlying mechanisms. This study examined the relationship between perceived conditional negative regard (i.e. a behavior that t...

Erotic dreams are common, but the ways in which they reflect waking day romantic relationships remain understudied. We examined the targets of erotic dreams reported by 470 men and 575 women in a romantic relationship as well as the associations between these targets and measures of couple and sexual life. Over 95% of all participants reported havi...

Children who have a good relationship with a best friend experience better social and emotional adjustment, making it critical to identify factors that foster the development of high-quality friendships. We examined whether the quality of the coparenting relationship, as perceived by each parent in middle childhood, predicted children’s perceptions...

Objectives A growing body of research suggests that childhood neglect is associated with several negative repercussions in adulthood such as low self-esteem. However, we know little about howvictims navigate their sexuality. Methods: We explored associations between childhood neglect, identity impairment and sexual disturbances in adulthood, and ex...

Introduction: Some Facebook users have difficulty regulating the amount of time they spend online, and some Facebook features, such as likes, promote habitual use. Theoretically, attachment insecurities could be related to problematic Facebook use, but the findings of past studies were mixed with limited knowledge about potential moderators and med...

Bien que la personnalité exerce une influence sur la satisfaction conjugale, les chercheurs se sont peu intéressés à l’amalgame des traits de personnalité des deux conjoints et à son impact sur la satisfaction. La présente étude vise, d’une part, à déterminer l’existence de profils de couples au sein d’un échantillon de la population clinique et, d...

Purpose of Review Pornography use is a common sexual activity for men and women engaged in a romantic relationship. The objective of this literature review was to highlight the current state of research on the associations between pornography use and relational and sexual well-being in mixed-sex couples, with a particular focus on the context of us...

Considering the heightened risk of adults who have experienced childhood cumulative trauma (CCT) to suffer from depressive symptoms, the present study aimed to investigate mindfulness and dissociation as possible mechanisms implicated in this relationship. A total of 234 clients seeking psychotherapy for sexual and/or relational difficulties comple...

Objectives: Survivors of early interpersonal trauma may experience relational problems, anger, impulsive and self-destructive behaviors, identity disturbance, and other difficulties that are associated with borderline personality disorder. Insecure attachment also has been documented in survivors and may be related to borderline personality-relate...

Social networking sites (SNS) are now deeply ingrained in our interpersonal world. Past research has shown various impacts of SNS on intimate relationships, from facilitation of relationship initiation to new sources of conflicts between romantic partners. In two studies, we examined Facebook-related jealousy as a risk factor for the perpetration o...

Objective To examine adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as a prospective predictor of the day‐to‐day associations between worries and positive thinking among late adolescents. Method Cumulative ACEs were measured from parent and youth reports between the ages of 9.9 and 18.1. Late adolescents (N = 103) reported daily worries and positive thought...

This study examines whether nonverbal displays of parents' warmth during an in-lab conflict discussion mitigate the links between affiliation with deviant peers and risky behaviors. A sample of 107 youth and their parents participated in a study spanning from mid-adolescence (T1) to late adolescence (T2). At T1, family members discussed a contentio...

Peu d'études se sont attardées aux associations entre les agressions sexuelles à l'enfance (ASE) et le développement de traits indésirables de la personnalité, et les résultats obtenus sont variables. L'objectif de la présente étude est d'évaluer la relation entre les ASE et les traits indésirables à l'âge adulte, en considérant la nature et la fré...

There is an understudied, meaningful distinction between high frequency of pornography use and the subjective feeling that this behavior is out of control. We examined whether the quality of a couple's relationship and sex life can strengthen or weaken the association between frequency of Internet pornography use and perceived lack of control over...

Objective: Prior studies have documented the potential role of nonoffending parent support in promoting recovery of adult survivors following sexual abuse (SA). However, few studies have distinguished the maternal and paternal role and the mechanisms by which quality of the parent-child relationship might foster more positive outcomes in child vict...

Dating violence (DV) is a widespread social issue that has numerous deleterious repercussions on youths’ health. Family and peer risk factors for DV have been widely studied, but with inconsistent methodologies, which complicates global comprehension of the phenomenon. Protective factors, although understudied, constitutes a promising line of resea...

Cette étude vise à documenter le rôle médiateur des symptômes de stress post-traumatique (SSPT) dans le lien entre l’agression sexuelle et différentes formes de victimisation vécues dans le contexte de relations amoureuses. L’étude se base sur l'Enquête sur les parcours amoureux des jeunes (PAJ) réalisée au sein de 34 écoles secondaires du Québec....

Bien qu’il n’existe pas de typologie définitive des caractéristiques des agresseurs sexuels à l’égard d’enfants, la documentation scientifique révèle la présence de distorsions cognitives et de traits de personnalité impliqués dans l’étiologie et le maintien des comportements sexuels déviants. Ces facteurs étant également associés au risque de réci...

La violence dans les relations amoureuses (VRA) est répandue et associée à des conséquences préoccupantes pour les adolescents qui en sont victimes. Plusieurs études ont examiné comment les caractéristiques de la famille et des pairs contribuent au risque de victimisation. Cependant, les résultats obtenus à l’aide de méthodes variées tracent un por...

Prior studies have suggested self-blame and sense of guilt as important elements associated with the effects of childhood sexual abuse on adult survivors (Cantón-Cortés, Cantón, Justicia & Cortés, 2011). However, few studies have explored the potential impact of the sense of guilt on outcomes in child victims. This study examines the mediating role...

Capsule de recherche - Équipe de recherche FRQ-SC – Violence sexuelle et santé (ÉVISSA)

Capsule de recherche - Équipe de recherche FRQ-SC – Violence sexuelle et santé (ÉVISSA)

Despite the proliferation of studies documenting outcomes in sexually abused victims, gender differences remain understudied. The bulk of studies have relied on retrospective samples of adults with insufficient representation of male victims to explore gender specificities. This study examined differential outcomes among boy and girl victims of sex...

Objective: Violence in romantic relationships is highly prevalent in adolescence and early adulthood and is related to a wide array of negative outcomes. Although the scientific literature increasingly highlights potential risk factors for the perpetration of violence toward a romantic partner, integrative models of these predictors remain scarce....

Childhood cumulative trauma (CCT) refers to an amalgam of childhood maltreatment experiences that can lead to a range of symptoms and problems in adulthood. The current study examined an integrative model of CCT for its relevance to psychosexual adjustment in adult survivors. A total of 620 participants aged 18 years and over completed a questionna...

Compared with other forms of intimate partner violence, very little is known about sexual coercion (SC) and its correlates in intact couples from the general population. Among potential dispositional risk factors for SC, neuroticism has been related to various aspects of couple functioning, including psychological and physical partner abuse. Based...

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The empirical literature indicates that childhood emotional abuse (CEA) produces long lasting impairments in interpersonal relatedness and identity, often referred to as self-capacities. CEA has also been shown to negatively impact couple functioning. This study examined the role of identity and interpersonal conflicts in mediating the relationship...

Evidence suggests a robust association between different types of childhood interpersonal traumas (i.e., sexual abuse, neglect, physical and psychological violence) and depressive symptoms (Briere & Jordan, 2009). Authors suggest that the experience of multiple interpersonal traumas (i.e., cumulative trauma) contributes to a more complex symptomato...

Neuroticism is generally regarded as an inherently negative characteristic. However, previous findings suggest that this trait may have adaptive features in the context of close relationships. The current study examined the curvilinear association among neuroticism and sexual satisfaction in both partners of couples from a clinical population. The...

Among personality traits, neuroticism has been shown to be the most significant predictor of dyadic adjustment. Despite some propositions arguing that low, as well as high levels of personality traits are maladaptive tendencies, only the negative linear relationship between neuroticism and couple satisfaction has been addressed in past research. Th...