EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCE AND ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS IN WOMEN: THE ROLE OF INTERMITTENT REINFORCEMENT IN MAINTAINING EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCE

Abstract

Emotional dependence in contexts of conjugal violence is characterized by an intense need for affection, insecurity, and a constant search for validation, generating bonds of suffering and submission. This article aims to analyze the influence of intermittent reinforcement in maintaining emotional dependence in women victims of abusive relationships and to identify strategies from Behavior Analysis that can contribute to overcoming these bonds. This is a qualitative, descriptive research based on a literature review conducted in the SciELO, PePSIC, Behavioral Psychology, IJSRDMS, and PubMed databases, considering studies published between 2015 and 2025 in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, that addressed emotional dependence in abusive contexts and reinforcement mechanisms from the perspective of Behavior Analysis. It is evident that the alternation between punishments and intermittent reinforcements, combined with low self-esteem, social isolation, and financial dependence, maintains the victim's permanence in the abusive relationship. Interventions based on Behavior Analysis, such as positive reinforcement, social skills training, assertiveness, and gradual exposure to autonomy, prove effective in reducing emotional dependence and promoting protection and psychological well-being. It is noted that, despite the resilience of abusive bonds, it is possible to plan strategies that favor women's autonomy. However, there is a scarcity of national studies based on the behavioral perspective, highlighting the need for future research that explores under-investigated variables and evaluates the effectiveness of interventions adapted to the Brazilian reality.