The relationship between family aggression history and expressed aggression among college males

Abstract

The relationship between family of origin aggression and aggression across numerous relationship types was examined among a sample of 197 college-aged males. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire assessing the frequency and severity of family aggression (aggression between parents, parental aggression directed toward participants), as well as the frequency and severity of participants' aggression across a number of relationship types (dating, friends, strangers, people in bars, co-workers, bosses, police officers). The results of the present study indicate that a substantial proportion of college-aged males report a history of aggressive behavior, both in dating/spousal relationship and other-relationship types. Analyses revealed that observing parental aggression and receiving aggression from parents was related to aggression in dating relationships. However, only received aggression from parents was related to more general aggressiveness in other non–dating/spousal relationship types. The pattern of findings also suggest that it is important to assess the aggressive behavior of both parents to get a better understanding of the link between family aggression and later expressed aggression. Aggr. Behav. 25:255–267, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.