Psychological Aggression Perpetration Research Articles

Examining the Role of Forgiveness in the Association Between Trait Mindfulness and Psychological Partner Aggression Among Dating College Students

Psychological partner aggression is the most prevalent form of partner aggression among college students and may precede more physically injurious forms of aggression. Yet, few studies examine potentially malleable protective factors that may reduce psychological partner aggression among college students. Trait mindfulness may indirectly serve as a protective factor against partner aggression by facilitating forgiveness of relationship transgressions. Examining this plausibility carries implications for mitigating psychological partner aggression within this population. Using a cross-sectional sample of 236 (73.7% women) undergraduates, the present study tested the hypothesis that greater trait mindfulness would indirectly associate with less frequent psychological partner aggression perpetration through a greater tendency to forgive. Trait mindfulness had a significant total effect on predicting psychological partner aggression perpetration (β = −.19,p< .01). With the tendency to forgive included in the model, the effect of trait mindfulness was reduced (β = −.14,p< .001). There was a significant indirect effect of the tendency to forgive (β = −.19, standard error = .19; 95% confidence interval: [−.90, −.14]), suggesting that forgiveness partially explained the association between trait mindfulness and psychological partner abuse perpetration. Results suggest that college students who are more mindful are more likely to forgive and, in turn, perpetrate psychological partner aggression less frequently. Findings may inform future clinical inquiry into the utility of mindfulness and forgiveness in reducing psychological partner aggression perpetration.

A dyadic examination of alcohol use and intimate partner aggression among women in same-sex relationships

Despite considerable evidence linking alcohol use and intimate partner aggression among mixed-sex couples, scant research has examined this association in same-sex couples using a dyadic framework. The aim of the present study was to examine associations between one’s own and their partner’s alcohol use (i.e., drinks per week, hazardous alcohol use) and intimate partner aggression (physical, psychological) perpetration while accounting for the interdependence among partners in alcohol use. Participants were 326 women (Mage = 27.57, SD = 3.65) from 163 female-female couples who independently completed measures of drinks per week, hazardous alcohol use, psychological intimate partner aggression victimization and perpetration, and physical intimate partner aggression victimization and perpetration. Actor-partner interdependence structural equation models found that (1) actor drinks per week were positively associated with one’s own physical assault perpetration (2) actor hazardous alcohol use was positively associated with one’s own physical assault and psychological aggression perpetration and (3) partner drinks per week and hazardous alcohol use were positively associated with actor’s psychological aggression perpetration. No other significant effects were detected. Collectively, findings highlight the nuanced relationship between alcohol use and intimate partner aggression among same-sex female couples and suggest that one’s own alcohol use is associated with intimate partner psychological and physical aggression perpetration. In contrast, the only partner effect was partner’s alcohol use in association with actor’s psychological aggression perpetration. These findings differ from prior research with heterosexual couples and underscore the need for future research with same-sex couples rather than attempts to generalize findings across populations.

Aggression begets aggression: Psychological dating aggression perpetration in young adults from the perspective of intergenerational transmission of violence

The aim of this study was threefold: (1) to evaluate the factorial validity of the Psychological Aggression (PA) subscale of the Conflict Tactics Scales–Adult Recall version (CTS2-CA), (2) to investigate the prevalence of and gender differences in psychological dating aggression perpetration (PDAP; restrictive engulfment, denigration, hostile withdrawal, and dominance/intimidation), and (3) to explore a proposed path from witnessing interparental psychological aggression perpetration to PDAP via acceptance of psychological aggression as a mediator and gender as a moderator of the mediation. For the first purpose, college students (N = 275) completed father to mother and mother to father forms of the PA subscale of the CTS2-CA. Exploratory factor analyses yielded a single-factor solution for the father to mother (55.86% of the variance) and mother to father (49.12% of the variance) forms. For the second and third purposes, a separate sample of 1015 dating college students (69.6% women) completed the Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse and Abuse subscale of the Intimate Partner Violence Attitude Scale-Revised, along with the PA subscale of the CTS2-CA. Gender differences emerged in the prevalence of restrictive engulfment (85.8% for women and 80.3% for men) and hostile withdrawal (96.3% for women and 91.1% for men). Moderated-mediation analyses revealed that women college students who witnessed more mother to father psychological aggression perpetration tended to hold more accepting attitudes towards psychological aggression and, in turn, perpetrated more psychological aggression against their partners. Common assumptions that boys are more likely to imitate fathers, whereas girls are more likely to imitate mothers and women [but not men] commit verbal aggression may together explain our findings from the perspective of the intergenerational transmission of violence hypothesis. For future research, we suggest investigating the proposed model with the experience of psychological aggression from the parents to the child, which may provide further insights.

Dyadic correlates of the perpetration of psychological aggression among intimate partners.

Dyadic correlates of the perpetration of psychological aggression among intimate partners.

Alcohol Use and Problems as a Potential Mediator of the Relationship between Emotion Dysregulation and IPV Perpetration.

Alcohol use/problems and emotion dysregulation are associated with increased intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. Additionally, alcohol use is an overt coping mechanism for dysregulated emotion. While past research has examined alcohol use/problems as a mediator between emotion dysregulation and IPV, research is limited within clinical samples. The current study sought to fill this gap by examining a theoretical model by which emotion dysregulation and alcohol use/problems influence IPV perpetration in a sample of men arrested for domestic violence. Consistent with prior research, it was hypothesized that alcohol use/problems would mediate the relationship between emotion dysregulation and psychological aggression. Additionally, we hypothesized that emotion dysregulation would positively associate with increased alcohol use/problems, which would relate to increased physical assault perpetration through psychological aggression perpetration. Using a cross-sectional sample of 391 men arrested for domestic violence and court-referred to Batterer Intervention Programs (BIP), the present study used structural equation modeling to examine proposed pathways from emotion dysregulation to IPV perpetration directly and indirectly through alcohol use/problems. Alcohol use/problems explained the relation between emotion dysregulation and psychological aggression perpetration. In addition, emotion dysregulation related to psychological aggression which explained the relation between alcohol use/problems and physical assault perpetration. These findings underline the importance of assessing and addressing emotion dysregulation and alcohol use/problems as risk factors for IPV in existing BIP as well as within theoretical models.

A Short-Term Longitudinal Investigation of the Relationship Between Trait Mindfulness and Female-Perpetrated Dating Violence.

Within the past several decades, dating violence has emerged as a major health problem, with rates of physical violence ranging from 20% to 30% and psychological aggression ranging from 60% to 90% in college dating relationships. Despite this, there have been few successful dating violence prevention programs developed. Thus, it is imperative that research can identify the relationship between potential protective factors, such as trait mindfulness, and dating violence perpetration. This study builds upon previous research on mindfulness and dating violence by investigating this question within a sample of female undergraduate students at two universities (N = 381) over the course of one semester. Findings suggested that the nonjudging aspect of mindfulness was associated with less perpetration of psychological and physical aggression approximately 3 months later. Furthermore, several facets of mindfulness were able to differentiate individuals who perpetrated aggression at Time 2 relative to individuals without a history of perpetration. These findings build on previous work in the field and suggest that mindfulness may play an important role in the manifestation of dating violence. Directions for future research on the relation between mindfulness and dating violence are discussed.

Discrimination and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among a Convenience Sample of LGBT Individuals in Latin America.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at high rates, even bidirectionally, yet no studies to date have investigated IPV among LGBT individuals in Latin America. Thus, this study explored discrimination and IPV victimization and perpetration among LGBT individuals in Latin America. Participants (N = 99) were recruited for this online, cross-sectional survey via convenience sampling and completed measures of LGBT discrimination and lifetime IPV victimization and perpetration. Results indicated that 60.61% of the sample reported at least one form of IPV victimization at some point in their life, and 56.57% reported at least one form of perpetration. Psychological aggression was the most common type of IPV victimization and perpetration. Physical assault victimization was positively correlated with work/school heterosexism. Perpetration and victimization of physical assault, psychological aggression, and sexual coercion were correlated with the "other" heterosexism subscale. Cluster analysis revealed a three-cluster solution: participants in Cluster 1 were high in IPV victimization and perpetration; Cluster 2 participants were low in IPV victimization and perpetration; and Cluster 3 participants were moderate on psychological aggression perpetration and victimization, but low on the other three forms of IPV. Cluster 1 participants had a higher score for the "other" heterosexism subscale than Cluster 2. This study highlights the need to address certain aspects of IPV, such as bidirectionality, in clinical encounters such as safety planning. Future research should examine the role of Latinx identity in LGBT individuals' experiences of discrimination and IPV.

Psychological Aggression, Attitudes About Violence, Violent Socialization, and Dominance in Dating Relationships.

Psychological aggression is a widespread form of abuse in dating relationships, especially in collectivist societies with ties to patriarchal beliefs. Despite the prevalence of psychological aggression, it has seldom been studied in connection with known antecedents of interpersonal violence, including dominance, attitudes supportive of violence, and violence socialization processes during childhood. The present study sought to test relationships among these variables in young men and women. A total of 500 Mexican undergraduate students in northern Mexico reported on their experiences with psychological aggression, the dominance of a dating partner, and violent socialization during childhood, as well as on their approval of violence within and outside the family. The results indicate that the dominance of a dating partner is directly linked to male and female intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. Violent socialization and proviolent attitudes appear to be related to female dominance. Female and male psychological aggression victimization was predicted by the participant's own perpetration. In general, a dyadic approach appears to be useful for explaining psychological aggression perpetration and victimization in a collectivist society, in light of recent changes in normative beliefs held by young educated Mexicans. Implications for future research and public policy are discussed.

Attachment insecurity and restrictive engulfment in college student relationships: the mediating role of relationship satisfaction

Purpose Studies on restrictive engulfment (RE) – a subtype of psychological aggression in intimate relationships – have focused either on insecure attachment or relationship satisfaction, not both. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate relationship satisfaction as a potential mediator of the associations between anxious and avoidant attachment and RE perpetration among college students. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 322 college students (178 women, 137 men, and seven other gender-identified) completed the experiences in close relationship inventory, relationship assessment scale, and RE subscale of the multidimensional measure of emotional abuse. Findings Among the sample, 89.3 and 90.5 percent of the college women and men, respectively, reported to have used isolating, restricting, monitoring, and controlling behaviors. The results of structural equation modeling revealed that all direct paths except for that from avoidant attachment to RE were significant. Moreover, significant indirect paths were identified from anxious and avoidant attachment to RE via relationship satisfaction. Research limitations/implications The results of this study should be interpreted with consideration of the study’s limitations. First, the data were drawn from a convenience sample of Turkish college students. Second, the design of the study is correlational; therefore, we cannot assume causality. Finally, this study utilized self-report and retrospective data. Practical implications Though the findings are preliminary, they may inform college counselors and other mental health practitioners about the nature of RE within college students’ dating relationships. College students who are unhappy with their dating relationships but still in those relationships (i.e. they choose not to leave) should be assessed for whether they are the perpetrators and/or recipients of psychological aggression, especially in light of the high rates of this form of aggression in the current and previous studies. Furthermore, assessing psychological dating aggression perpetrators for insecure attachment styles may help mental health professionals who work with college students, envisage the sessions toward areas in the need of improvement, such as their views of themselves and others. Self-esteem, feelings of insecurity and inadequacy in relationships, and dependency can be worked with these clients. Social implications The results of this study also have implications for the prevention of psychological aggression before it occurs. The need for prevention programs is evident in the high rates of psychologically controlling behaviors among college students. It may be useful to implement campus wide programs to raise awareness regarding psychological aggression, such as through events, seminars, posters, flyers, and talks with student groups. Originality/value Despite the limitations of this study, its findings offer insight into the factors that influence the perpetration of psychological aggression within dating relationships among college students. Adult attachment theory offers a useful lens for understanding the possible driving forces behind college students’ controlling behaviors toward their dating partners. In particular, college students who demonstrate an insecure attachment style – and especially an anxious attachment style – combined with low levels of relationship satisfaction appear to be at a high risk for perpetrating RE behaviors.

Discrepant Drinking and Partner Violence Perpetration Over Time in Lesbians' Relationships.

Discrepant drinking (i.e., differences in alcohol use) and perpetration of intimate partner violence in same-sex female couples were examined. Self-identified lesbian participants were recruited from market research firms and reported on their own and their partner's alcohol use and their own perpetration of psychological aggression and physical violence at baseline, then 6 and 12 months later. Cross-lagged panel analyses revealed that discrepant drinking predicted participants' subsequent perpetration of psychological aggression but not physical violence. Both psychological aggression and physical aggression predicted subsequent discrepant drinking. Consistent with findings in heterosexual couples, differences in alcohol use appear to be a risk factor for relationship aggression.

Intimate Partner Violence in Iran: Factors Associated With Physical Aggression Victimization and Perpetration.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is identified as a human rights abuse which happens everywhere regardless of the society and culture. This study addressed risk markers for physical IPV victimization and perpetration among men and women in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected from 250 participants (111 men and 139 women) in Tehran who reported perpetrating or experiencing IPV at least once in the past year. In this article, we sought to understand risk markers for both male and female physical IPV victimization and perpetration and whether these risk markers differed by gender. We used regression analyses to test two models with males and females separately. Results indicated that for males, physical aggression perpetration was a significant predictor of physical aggression victimization, and physical aggression victimization, psychological aggression victimization, and psychological aggression perpetration were significant predictors of physical aggression perpetration. For females, psychological aggression victimization and physical aggression perpetration were significant predictors of physical aggression victimization, and physical aggression victimization and psychological aggression perpetration were significant predictors of physical aggression perpetration. These results can be helpful in efforts to develop effective interventions for people at risk of IPV in Iran.

Antisocial Traits, Distress Tolerance, and Alcohol Problems as Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence in Men Arrested for Domestic Violence.

Men with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) traits are at an increased risk for consuming alcohol and perpetrating intimate partner violence (IPV). However, previous research has neglected malleable mechanisms potentially responsible for the link between ASPD traits, alcohol problems, and IPV perpetration. Efforts to improve the efficacy of batterer intervention programs (BIPs) would benefit from exploration of such malleable mechanisms. The present study is the first to examine distress tolerance as one such mechanism linking men's ASPD traits to their alcohol problems and IPV perpetration. Using a cross-sectional sample of 331 men arrested for domestic violence and court-referred to BIPs, the present study used structural equation modeling to examine pathways from men's ASPD traits to IPV perpetration directly and indirectly through distress tolerance and alcohol problems. Results supported a two-chain partial mediational model. ASPD traits were related to psychological aggression perpetration directly and indirectly via distress tolerance and alcohol problems. A second pathway emerged by which ASPD traits related to higher levels of alcohol problems, which related to psychological aggression perpetration. Controlling for psychological aggression perpetration, neither distress tolerance nor alcohol problems explained the relation between ASPD traits and physical assault perpetration. These results support and extend existing conceptual models of IPV perpetration. Findings suggest intervention efforts for IPV should target both distress tolerance and alcohol problems.

Is There a Cumulative Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Intimate Partner Violence in Emerging Adulthood?

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been shown to cumulatively predict a range of poor physical and mental health outcomes across adulthood. The cumulative effect of ACEs on intimate partner violence (IPV) in emerging adulthood has not been previously explored. The current study examined the individual and cumulative associations between nine ACEs (emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, witnessing domestic violence, living with a mentally ill, substance abusing, or incarcerated household member) and IPV in a diverse sample of college students (N = 284; Mage = 20.05 years old [SD = 2.5], 32% male, 37% Caucasian, 30% Asian, 33% other, and 27% Hispanic) from an urban, public college in the Northeast of the United States. Participants reported ACEs (measured by the Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey) and IPV perpetration and victimization (measured with the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale-2) of physical and psychological aggression in an online study that took place from 2015 to 2016. Bivariate and multivariate associations between ACEs, cumulative ACEs (assessed by the sum of adverse experiences), and IPV outcomes were assessed, while controlling for demographics and socioeconomic status. No cumulative associations were observed between ACEs and any of the IPV subscales in multivariate regressions, while witnessing domestic violence was significantly associated with perpetration and victimization of physical aggression and injury, and household member incarceration and physical abuse were associated with physical aggression perpetration. Adverse childhood events do not seem to associate cumulatively with IPV in emerging adulthood and the contributions of individual childhood experiences appear to be more relevant for IPV outcomes. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Narcissism and Relationship Satisfaction from a Dyadic Perspective: The Mediating Role of Psychological Aggression

ABSTRACTThe mediating effect of psychological aggression between narcissism and relationship satisfaction was investigated among 128 nonclinical heterosexual couples (N = 256) in enduring relationships, using the actor–partner interdependence model. The results indicated two mediation paths affecting men’s relationship satisfaction: the higher men’s narcissism, the higher their perpetration of psychological aggression, which, in turn, was negatively linked with their own relationship satisfaction and the higher women’s narcissism, the higher their perpetration of psychological aggression, which, in turn, was negatively linked with their male partner’s relationship satisfaction. The analyses also revealed one mediation path affecting women’s relationship satisfaction: the higher their narcissism, the higher the perpetration of psychological aggression, which, in turn, was linked with lower women’s relationship satisfaction. Recommendations for further research and clinical implications are discussed.

Psychopathology and Sibling Violence in a Sample of Portuguese Adolescents.

Sibling violence appears to affect the psychological well-being of adolescents, making them susceptible to the development of psychopathological symptomatology. In a sample of 463 Portuguese adolescents with siblings, we intended to ascertain to what extent psychopathological symptomatology varies depending on age and gender; and to analyze whether the tactics of conflict resolution exert a predictor effect on psychopathological symptomatology. The results of the current study showed that females and older adolescents (17-20years old) seem to be the most vulnerable to psychopathological symptomatology development. We also found that the perpetration of psychological aggression is the only type of violence that positively predicts the evaluated psychopathological symptomatology. Therefore, high rates of sibling violence can be an alert to psychopathological problems that might ensue. Psychological aggression can lead to mental health problems for siblings, so it would be important to implement prevention and intervention programs in this area.

Childhood emotional maltreatment and psychological aggression in young adult dating relationships: The moderating role of emotion communication

This study examines childhood emotional maltreatment as a developmental predictor of psychological aggression perpetration in young adult dating couples, using a dyadic framework to account for individual and partner effects. We further investigate observations of skillful emotion communication (i.e., discussion of emotional experiences, including emotion identification and disclosure) as potential moderator. In a sample of 60 young adult romantic couples, actor–partner interdependence model analyses found significant actor effects of emotional maltreatment on psychological aggression perpetration, but no partner effects. Consistent with hypotheses, observations of higher skillful emotion communication attenuated associations between childhood emotional maltreatment and young adult psychological aggression, but only for female participants. Findings are discussed in the context of implications for prevention and intervention for couples at risk of psychological aggression.

Empirical Investigation of a Model of Sexual Minority Specific and General Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Violence among Lesbian Women.

This study proposed and tested the first conceptual model of sexual minority specific (discrimination, internalized homophobia) and more general risk factors (perpetrator and partner alcohol use, anger, relationship satisfaction) for intimate partner violence among partnered lesbian women. Self-identified lesbian women (N=1048) were recruited from online market research panels. Participants completed an online survey that included measures of minority stress, anger, alcohol use and alcohol-related problems, relationship satisfaction, psychological aggression, and physical violence. The model demonstrated good fit and significant links from sexual minority discrimination to internalized homophobia and anger, from internalized homophobia to anger and alcohol problems, and from alcohol problems to intimate partner violence. Partner alcohol use predicted partner physical violence. Relationship dissatisfaction was associated with physical violence via psychological aggression. Physical violence was bidirectional. Minority stress, anger, alcohol use and alcohol-related problems play an important role in perpetration of psychological aggression and physical violence in lesbian women's intimate partner relationships. The results of this study provide evidence of potentially modifiable sexual minority specific and more general risk factors for lesbian women's partner violence.

Psychological Aggression Committed Through Technology: A Study With Dating College Students

Given the high prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among U.S. college students and their frequent use of technological devices (e.g., mobile phones, computers), there is widespread concern that psychological aggression may be occurring via such devices, termedcyber psychological aggression. The purpose of this study was (a) to examine the prevalence and frequency of perpetration and victimization of cyber psychological aggression, (b) to examine the association between cyber psychological aggression and traditional forms and modes of aggression (i.e., physical and face-to-face psychological aggression), and (c) to examine gender differences in the prevalence and frequency of cyber psychological aggression. College students (N= 345) in dating relationships completed the Cyber Psychological Abuse Scale (Leisring & Giumetti, 2014) and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (Straus, Hamby, Boney-McCoy, & Sugarman, 1996) for this study. Results indicated that 73% of males and 77% of females reported committing at least one act of cyber psychological aggression against their partner in their relationship. In addition, 74% of males and 72% of females reported being the victim of cyber psychological aggression in their relationship. No gender differences in the prevalence or frequency of minor cyber psychological aggression perpetration or victimization were found. Men, however, were more likely to report both perpetration and victimization of severe cyber abuse than women. Cyber psychological aggression was positively associated with traditional forms of physical and psychological aggression. The implications of these findings for future research and violence prevention programs are discussed.

A Dyadic Analysis of Partner Violence and Adult Attachment

Studies of individual attachment features have linked insecure attachment to intimate partner violence (IPV), but these studies have neither taken into account couple-level factors nor evidence of high rates of dual-partner perpetration. The current study examined three forms of IPV as a function of both partners’ adult attachment characteristics in order to better understand the maintenance of relationship violence by using a dyadic statistical design. Heterosexual couples (n = 163) were recruited from the community. Results suggest that one’s own attachment avoidance and a partner’s attachment avoidance and anxiety was associated with perpetration of physical assault. Similarly, one’s own attachment avoidance and a partner’s attachment avoidance and anxiety was associated with perpetration of psychological aggression. Attachment anxiety influenced one’s own perpetration of sexual coercion and their partner’s perpetration. Thus, functional analysis of violence in terms of attachment and risk regulation may afford targeted interventions to certain types of couples.

Skills for Healthy Adult Relationships at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Program Development and Preliminary Data.

The present study examines the development and preliminary pilot findings of Skills for Healthy Adult Relationships at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (SHARe@UMBC)-an intimate partner violence prevention program for college students. SHARe@UMBC is based on an integrative cognitive-behavioral model of communication and emotion regulation in close interpersonal relationships. There were four aims of the present study: first, to describe program development; second, to examine program acceptability and participant satisfaction; third, to examine the extent to which participants acquired relationship skills and their level of confidence in using those skills; and fourth, to examine perpetration and victimization of physical, sexual, and psychological aggression. These aims utilized data collected before program initiation, immediately after program completion, and at a follow-up 9 to 15 months after program completion. Findings from two pilot groups (15 students in total; eight women and seven men) indicated high ratings of program acceptability and satisfaction, reductions in negative communication, improvements in confidence using conflict management strategies with romantic partners and peers, and confidence initiating new romantic relationships. In addition, large effect sizes were observed for confidence providing emotional support to a romantic partner and self-disclosure with peers. Participants reported no incidents of physical, sexual, or psychological aggression perpetration or victimization at follow-up. Pilot implementation and initial uncontrolled results are encouraging and provide support for initiating a more extensive controlled investigation of program efficacy.