Perceived Verbal Conflict Behaviors Associated With Physical Aggression and Sexual Coercion in Dating Relationships: A Gender-Sensitive Analysis
We studied perceived partner verbal behaviors associated with participants' use of dating aggression. Men's reports of their partners' demanding, controlling, and psychologically abusive behaviors during conflicts were expected to predict men's perpetration against partners. In contrast,
women's reports of their partners' withdrawal were expected to predict women's perpetration. Data were collected from heterosexual undergraduates (N = 223) in exclusive dating relationships. Participants' reports of partner demands and partner psychological abuse were associated with
participants' use of physical aggression and sexual coercion. Reports of partner withdrawal and partner controlling behaviors were associated with participants' sexual coercion only. Significant moderating effects of gender emerged. As expected, partner demands, controlling behaviors, and
psychological abuse were associated with physical aggression and sexual coercion in men, but not women. Partner withdrawal was associated with sexual coercion in both women and men. We conclude that gender-sensitive approaches are necessary to understand and prevent verbal conflict patterns
associated with physical aggression and sexual coercion in intimate relationships.
Keywords: ABUSE; DATING VIOLENCE; GENDER; INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE; SEXUAL ABUSE; VERBAL CONFLICT
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 February 2002
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