Psychological Aggression in Dating Relationships: Predictive Models for Males and Females

Variables related to the use of physical aggression in dating relationships and conflict management strategies were used to predict the use of psychological aggression in courtship. Individual factors (i.e., variables associated with threat susceptibility) and situational variables (i.e., relationship length and emotional commitment to the partner, conflict management strategies, and weekly alcohol intake) were proposed to be important in the prediction of male’s and female’s use of psychological aggression with their partners. Our findings suggest that these variables successfully predict the use of psychologically aggressive acts in courtship. Further, interactions with sex of participant suggest that different variables are important in the prediction of males’ and females’ use of such negative behaviors. These differences in the relationships between the predictors and criteria for males and females suggest not only divergent predictive models but also potential motivational differences in the employment of such tactics.