The Role of Differentiation of Self and Gender on The Experience of Psychological Aggression by a Romantic
Abstract
The study aimed to understand and advance the dynamics that influence psychological aggression. Psychological aggression can be defined as, verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to harm another person mentally or emotionally, and/or control another person. In our society, the occurrence of psychological aggression in relationships is far more tolerated then physical aggression, but the effects can be more long term and harmful. The study hypothesized that an individual’s level of differentiation of self--a person’s ability to differentiate between feeling and thinking in times of stress--and their gender have a role in the severity of psychological aggression. The study asked participants about experiencing and perpetrating psychological aggression. One hundred and ninety-two people participated in the study, in which multiple regressions provided some support that the level of differentiation of self and severity of psychological aggression, experiencing and perpetraing, have a negative significant relationship. Gender was found to not impact the relationship between differentiation of self and severity of psychological aggression. Clinical implications, limitations, and future directions for research were addressed.
Degree
M.Sc.
Advisors
Edwards, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Behavioral psychology|Gender studies|Psychology
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