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https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520938516
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
© The Author(s) 2020
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DOI: 10.1177/0886260520938516
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Original Research
Identification With the
Aggressor and Inward
and Outward Aggression
in Abuse Survivors
Yael Lahav, PhD,1 Santiago Allende, MS,2
Anat Talmon, PhD,3 Karni Ginzburg, PhD,1
and David Spiegel, MD3
Abstract
Childhood abuse survivors may display both inward and outward aggression
manifested in self-injurious behavior (SIB) and violent acts toward others.
Scrutinizing the literature reveals that the relational dynamics between
victims and their perpetrators might be involved in these phenomena. Yet,
research on this subject matter has been sparse. Filling this gap, this study
investigated the contribution of the singular bonds between victims and
their perpetrators, known as identification with the aggressor, in explaining
survivors’ aggression. The study was conducted among 306 Israeli college/
university students who reported a history of childhood abuse. Results
revealed that levels of adopting the perpetrator’s experience, identifying
with the perpetrator’s aggression, and replacing one’s agency with that of
the perpetrator were significantly associated with survivors’ inward and
outward aggression. Moreover, profile type—that is, having high versus low
levels of identification with the aggressor—was implicated in participants’
SIBs, urge to harm others, and violent acts toward others, above and beyond
1Tel Aviv University, Israel
2Palo Alto University, CA, USA
3Stanford University, CA, USA
Corresponding Author:
Yael Lahav, Department of Occupational Therapy, The Stanley Steyer School of Health
Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O.B. 39040, Ramat Aviv, Tel-
Aviv 69978, Israel.
Email: yaellah1@tauex.tau.ac.il
938516JIVXXX10.1177/0886260520938516Journal of Interpersonal ViolenceLahav et al.
research-article2020
2022, Vol. 37(5-6) 2705 –2728