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Abstract

Aggressive behavior in adult couples is a problem which must be taken seriously and is a frequent reason for psychotherapy and counseling. Less is known about an early start of aggression, e.g. in adolescent romantic relationships. In a sample of 194 romantic partner dyads (age 16-18 years) differences between female and male partners' reports of aggression (psychological and physical) and different measures of relationship functioning (e.g. conflicts, coping behavior and the affiliative and romantic quality of the relationship) were assessed. A hierarchical cluster analysis identified distinct subgroups of dyads based on male and female reports of psychological and physical aggression: non-aggressive couples, couples with higher perceived aggressiveness (both physical and psychological) by female partners, couples with higher perceived aggressiveness by male partners and mutually aggressive couples, who showed clear differences in the quality of the relationship, the number of conflicts and coping ability. Although a substantial number of non-aggressive dyads emerged, the high number of females showing one-sided aggression was noteworthy, which was not countered by the partner. The mutually aggressive couples showed the least adaptive relationship functioning with a lack of supportive trusting relationship qualities, high conflict rates and less adaptive coping styles. The discussion focuses on the different functions of aggression in these early romantic relationships, the aggravating impact of mutual aggression on relationship functioning and its potential antisocial outcome. In this context the gender-specific function of self-silencing behavior is explored.