Doctor of Philosophy / Family Studies and Human Services / Sandra M. Stith / Little information is available on the use of relational aggression in adult romantic relationships. In a sample of 325 married couples (650 spouses) we assessed the use of relational aggression within couples married an average of approximately 18 years to learn more about relational aggression within this population. To understand a potential motivating factor for the use of relational aggression, marital power was also examined. Finally, to learn whether or not relationship satisfaction mediates the relationship between marital power and relational aggression, relationship satisfaction was measured and was found to be a significant mediating variable. Using the actor/partner interdependence model, we found that those who were dissatisfied in their relationships, regardless of perceived marital power, were more likely to use relational aggression. Additionally, those who were satisfied in their marriage were less likely to use relational aggression. Wives participated in more relational aggression than husbands and husbands perceived themselves as having more power and were more satisfied in the marriage. Implications and suggestions for clinicians are offered.

PhDr. Šárka Soudková Partner violence in the relationships of young Czech people Abstract: The dissertation thesis focuses on the area of partner violence experienced by young Czech people and its broad context. The introductive text examines how this issue is apprehended by the theoretical conceptions in general as well as how the empirical surveys dealt with it hitherto. Substantial part of the thesis describes the construction, transformation, validization of the scales measuring the incidence of violence in partnership. These scales were used in quantitative survey of representative sample of young people in the age from 15 to 29 years (N = 870). The part of thesis dedicated to the survey results presents the experiences of young Czechs with violence in their intimate relationships for the past 12 months and the prevalence of violence related to the present/past partner relationship. Another point of view on this issue brings the analysis of reciprocity of violence in the relationship. In the frame of analysis of broad context of partner violence is explored: the general opinion climate prevailing among young Czech people related to partnership, psycho-social features typical for people engaged in violent relationships, the family background these people are coming from, occurrence of violence in...