Courtship aggression and victimization: A comparison of male and female college student experiences

Nancy Jean Shook, Purdue University

Abstract

This study used a modified Version of the Conflict Tactic Scale (Straus, 1979) to measure the expression of verbal and physical aggression among 572 college students (395 females and 177 males) involved in a dating relationship over the past twelve months. Data analyses indicated that 82% (n = 465) of the total sample reported engaging in verbally-aggressive behavior, whereas 20.3% (n = 116) of the total sample admitted to acting in a physically aggressive manner over the past year. No significant difference was found for verbal aggression scores based on gender; however, females were significantly more likely than males to report using physical force against dating partners. Drinking alcohol by one or both partners three hours prior to or following the most recent argument was the only factor which was related to the increased likelihood that male and female college students would abuse or be abused by their dating partners. For aggressive male students, experiences with harsh childhood punishment also increased their likelihood for using physical force against dating partners. For aggressive female students, membership in a sorority, cohabitation, partners' perceived attitudes toward women in society, and female students and their dating partners sharing conservative attitudes also increased their likelihood for using physical force against dating partners. Factors associated with the increased likelihood that males would sustain courtship violence included their dating partners' perceived attitudes toward women's role in society, one's own attitudes toward women's role in society, greater emotional commitment in the dating relationship, and membership in a fraternity. Additional factors associated with the increased likelihood that females would be abused by their partners included holding more favorable attitudes toward the use of violence and cohabitation.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Segrist, Purdue University.

Subject Area

School counseling|Social psychology|Behavioral psychology

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