A Focus on the Positive: Reasons for Not Engaging in Physical Aggression Against a Dating Partner

Abstract

The current study focuses on reasons why most women do not engage in physical aggression against their partner. The sample consists of 170 women, aged 18-35 from across the US. In an online questionnaire, 34% of the sample reported using physical aggression against a partner. Primary reasons for engaging in aggression were "anger [73%]" and "temper [68%]." For those who were not aggressive, primary deterrents were beliefs that "using aggression is inappropriate [72%]" and "under no circumstances is physical aggression okay [71%]." Physically aggressive females were less satisfied with relationships, more accepting of physical violence, and felt more provoked in conflict situations. Across varied studies assessing reasons for physical aggression against a partner, anger is perceived as most prevalent, though a meta-analysis found that trait anger has a small association with intimate partner aggression. The strikingly different results indicate the need for research to reconcile this discrepancy.