Correlates of Behavioral Displays of Aggression during Stereotypical Conflict Situation in Czech Long-term Couples
Abstract
In a romantic couple's conflict, there are various ways to influence the partner including aggression in verbal or physical form. To test the impact of verbally and physically aggressive behaviors we used a novel method, a relationship drama.
Sixty couples (MageF +- SD = 25.2 +- 5.7 ; MageM +- SD = 24.8 +- 4.6) re-enacted their typical conflict, expressing natural variety of behaviors in laboratory setting. Open codes were used to code verbal and nonverbal aggressive behavior (e.g., swearing, blackmailing / throwing objects, grabbing).
Two standardized measures Control, and Decision-making Scale (CDS) and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS; sub-scales: Consensus, Satisfaction, Cohesion, Affectional Expression) were also used. The difference in perceived relationship satisfaction on sub-scale of Satisfaction (DAS) within the couple was, in men, positively related to the amount of physical threats to female partner.
In women, the larger difference on sub-scale of DAS Consensus sub-scale between the two partners positively related to displays of verbal aggression. These "misbehaviors" were probably signs of a frustration, in otherwise functional relationships since we researched long-term couples (M= 38 months, SD = 28.4), where strategies are more elaborate by everyday tuning.
Interestingly, none of the aggressive displays predicted the outcome of the conflict. Thus the results should be further explored on couples with history of domestic violence and dysfunctional communication.