High‐Conflict Couple Interaction and the Role of Relative Power

Abstract

AbstractAll romantic couples experience some conflict. However, some couples seem to fight often enough, or severely enough, that the relationship suffers and the partners become emotionally distanced. For other couples, a breakup or divorce does not allow them to cut ties because of shared parenting responsibilities. In such cases, ongoing conflict likely deepened during the divorce process may continue indefinitely. This paper explores the designation of high‐conflict couples, and groups these couples by those that are still together and by those that have dissolved a partnership and yet must still interact. In each case, the suggested contributors to high‐conflict interaction are given. I argue that current sociological understanding of high‐conflict partnerships is limited by false dichotomies between intact and unpartnered couples, as well as between violent and nonviolent conflict. I draw from the psychoanalytic and counseling literature as well, to suggest that interpersonal power, and perceived relative lack of power in relation to the other, is a common factor that bridges these discrete groups. Finally, I discuss negative consequences of such interaction and reiterate the need for further scholarship in this area.