Love is a Losing Game: Aggression as a Function of Attachment and Gender Among Cape Verdean Young Adults

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the association between inhibition of exploration and individuality with both mother and father figure, ambivalent attachment style, and aggression dimensions (anger, hostility, physical, and verbal aggression) among Cape Verdean young adults in a romantic relationship. Moreover, the study proposed aggression dimensions as a mediator between the relationship of the aforementioned variables. The study followed a cross-sectional design performed between May and December 2023 among 123 Cape Verdean young adults aged 18 to 35 who reported to have been in an intimate relationship in the last 6 months. Hayes’ PROCESS macro for mediation analysis in SPSS was used to test the hypothesized model. The results suggested that anger and hostility had a significant relationship with inhibition of exploration and individuality, with the mother figure and ambivalent attachment style. Women manifested higher levels of anger and hostility, as well as ambivalent attachment in comparison to men. Additionally, hostility played a significant mediator role between the relationship of the aforementioned variables. The present study adds to the literature by addressing differences in genders’ manifestation of aggressive behaviors in romantic relationships and provides a critical perspective of existing literature with recommendations and limitations of the field.