Examining the correlates of psychological aggression among a community sample of couples.
In this study, the authors examined the correlates of psychological aggression victimization and perpetration among a community sample of 145 heterosexual couples. For both women and men, psychological aggression victimization was associated with greater psychological distress, anxiety, and physical health symptoms beyond the effects of physical aggression. Psychological aggression victimization was also uniquely associated with higher levels of depression for women. Trait anger and poor relationship adjustment were the strongest correlates of psychological aggression perpetration across genders. Childhood father-to-child and father-to-mother aggressions were associated with psychological aggression perpetration for men only, suggesting possible distinct etiologies across genders. These data highlight the importance of the further development of models for psychological aggression in both women and men.
Taft
Casey T
CT
Behavioral Science Division, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Boston Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. casey.taft@va.gov
O'Farrell
Timothy J
TJ
Torres
Sandra E
SE
Panuzio
Jillian
J
Monson
Candice M
CM
Murphy
Marie
M
Murphy
Christopher M
CM
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000786:Anger; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012307:Risk Factors; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013223:Statistics as Topic