The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the relationship between partner aggression enacted against women and victims’ work withdrawal, as well as to investigate the possible moderators of this relationship. To accomplish this, I conducted three studies. The first two studies examined the effects of partner aggression on work withdrawal (i.e., cognitive distraction, neglect, partial absenteeism, frequency of absenteeism, and turnover intentions). The third study examined potential moderators (i.e., supervisor support, coworker support, mental respite, financial need, and partner interference in employment) of the relationship between partner aggression and work withdrawal. In the first study, full-time, post secondary female students in dating relationships (N = 122) reported on psychological aggression, school withdrawal, and performance (i.e., course grades). Multiple regression analyses showed that experiencing psychological aggression from one’s partner is related to cognitive distraction at school, school neglect, and grades but is not related to partial absenteeism, frequency of absenteeism, or thoughts of quitting school. In the second study, physically abused women (abused group; n = 19) were compared with maritally discordant, nonabused women (discordant-only group; n = 12) and a control group of maritally satisfied, nonabused women (control group; n = 19). Abused women reported significantly more cognitive distraction and job neglect compared to women in the control group. They also reported significantly more job neglect compared to women in the discordant-only group; women in the latter group reported more cognitive distraction compared to women in the control group. There were no differences among the groups in partial absenteeism, frequency of absenteeism, or thoughts of quitting work. In the final study, data were collected from a sample of 242 employed women who reported on physical aggression and employment withdrawal. The results revealed that supervisor support buffers the impact of physical aggression on frequency of absenteeism, and partner interference in employment exacerbates the impact of physical aggression on frequency of absenteeism. No other significant interactions were found. I conclude by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of these results, as well as potential directions for future research. / Thesis (Ph.D, Management) -- Queen's University, 2009-11-06 16:39:05.444

Misconceptions about intimate aggression have been found to have serious consequences (Kamphius et al., 2005; Robinson, 2005). These beliefs serve to minimize the crime and blame the victim which can cause individuals to not take the crime seriously (Kamphius, et al., 2005; Sinclair, in press). Initial work combined and updated Sinclair's (2010) Stalking Myths Scale and McKeon's unpublished Stalking Attitudes Questionnaire, but further psychometric analysis is needed (Lyndon, Sinclair, & Martin, 2011). I surveyed 1,200 undergraduates using the Stalking Myth Scale –Revised (SMS – R), a modified version of the Obsessive Relational Intrusion Inventory – Short Form (ORI - SF; Cupach & Spitzberg, 2004), and three intimate partner aggression myth scales. My findings replicated the factor structure of the previous pilot and attitudes regarding stalking were found to be predictors of the likelihood to engage in, the perceived normativity of, and the perceived motivation behind stalking.

<p>Objective: Acute alcohol intoxication has been clearly identified as a risk factor for intimate partner aggression (IPA). There is a critical need for effective IPA interventions that can be applied during episodes of acute intoxication. A self-awareness intervention for general aggression that was designed to be applied during acute intoxication could fill this gap. This intervention is grounded in objective self-awareness and alcohol myopia theories, with the main premise being that intoxicated individuals who are exposed to self-awareness cues should focus on standards of correct behavior, which will serve to inhibit aggression. The purpose of the current study was to apply this intervention to alcohol-facilitated IPA and to examine potential moderators of this effect in order to determine for whom the intervention may be most effective. Method: Participants in the current study included 133 heterosexual community couples with a history of heavy drinking and IPA. Participants took part in a two-session laboratory study investigating the efficacy of this self-awareness intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (<i>n</i> = 71) or control (<i>n</i> = 62) condition. During the study, they consumed alcohol and participated in an aggression task ostensibly against their romantic partner. Results: Findings were inconsistent with hypotheses. There was no between-group difference in laboratory aggression, and the moderators investigated in this study did not have an impact on the intervention’s efficacy. Conclusions: Present findings suggest that the self-awareness intervention may be ineffective for reducing alcohol-facilitated IPA. Potential explanations for this finding and implications for future research are discussed. </p>

The purpose of this study was to examine how modality and exposure to intimate partner aggression (IPA) impact Marriage and Family Therapists' (MFTs) recognition of IPA, identification of perpetrator(s), and risk assessment in a case example among 37 MFTs. It was hypothesized that participants who received the male unilateral modality and who had previous IPA exposure would be more likely to recognize the IPA, correctly identify the perpetrator(s), and indicate risk of future harm in their given case example. Logistic regression analyses did not reveal any significant relationships between the variables. However, it was found that 91.9% of MFTs recognized the IPA in their case example, 78.4% correctly identified the perpetrator(s), and 89.2% indicated the potential for future harm. This study emphasizes the importance of the rates reaching 100% because until that occurs some couples experiencing IPA will be overlooked and subsequently provided with inadequate treatment.

Women’s use of aggression in intimate partner relationships is consistently debated by researchers of intimate partner aggression. One tenet suggests women use aggression within intimate relationships at similar rates as men. Conversely, a second tenet acknowledges women’s use of aggression but suggests that the meaning and consequences associated with women’s aggression is not coercive or severely injurious, which are typical characteristics of men’s use of aggression. The current study evaluated incarcerated women in order to build upon an integrative approach that suggests that women’s use of aggression is related to the relationship dynamics generated from variations in coercive and conflictual behaviors. Further, the current study evaluated the moderating relation of childhood abuse history and posttraumatic stress symptoms between relationship dynamics and women’s use of aggression. Ninety-six women, who participated in a larger research project that investigated incarcerated women’s life experience, reported on the dynamics of their most recent abusive heterosexual relationship, their own use of aggression (minor and severe) and childhood abuse history and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Findings suggest that incarcerated women involved in intimate relationships characterized as highly conflictual use significantly more minor and severe aggression toward their partners than women involved in relationships with low levels of conflicts. The finding is significant regardless of the level of coercion present in the relationship. Lastly, neither childhood abuse history nor posttraumatic symptoms moderated the relation between intimate partner relationship dynamics and women’s use of aggression. Various reasons for the lack of support for the moderating effect of history on women’s use of aggression are discussed.

Family-of-origin aggression (FOOA) is an established risk factor for adult partner aggression. The research presented in this thesis tested a model proposing that (FOOA) is mediated through attachment and attributions to influence male and female partner aggression and withdrawal in early stage couple relationships. Study 1 tested the influence of FOOA, attachment, and attributions on partner aggression in a sample of 73 newlywed couples. FOOA was associated with male-to-female aggression, but not female-to-male aggression. Therefore the hypothesis that the influence of FOOA on partner aggression was mediated through attachment and attributions was tested only for men. Attachment was significantly associated with attributions, but there was no association between FOOA and attachment or between attributions and male partner aggression. Study 2 tested the influence of FOOA, attachment, and attributions on partner aggression and withdrawal in a sample of 101 dating couples. Structural equation model analyses found different results for men and women. For male partner aggression, the influence of FOOA was partially mediated through attachment and attributions. For male withdrawal, the influence of FOOA on withdrawal was fully mediated through attachment and attributions. The association between FOOA and withdrawal was also mediated through attachment independent of attributions, and through attributions independent of attachment. For female partner aggression and female withdrawal, the predicted associations were found for the attachment anxiety models but not for the attachment avoidance models. The current findings suggest that attachment and attributions should be intervention targets for improving relationship outcomes. The gender differences in model fit emphasise the importance of investigating risk factors for partner aggression and withdrawal separately for men and women.

Aggression between couples is a pervasive social problem throughout various life stages, including the transition to parenthood. Partner aggression during this life stage is particularly problematic given the possible negative effects it has on children’s development, including the possibility of the intergenerational transmission of aggression. However, not all children who are exposed to parental aggression become perpetrators of aggression. The present study used an initial community sample of 98 pregnant couples that were followed for two years. It was found that over 90% of children were exposed to parental psychological aggression, and approximately a third of children were exposed to parental physical aggression. Exposure to psychological aggression was related to externalizing symptoms for girls, and exposure to physical aggression was related to select internalizing symptoms for boys and girls. Parenting behaviours moderated the link between exposure to parental psychological aggression and childhood aggressive behaviour. Surprisingly, although consistent with a strict interpretation of the social learning theory, high quality parenting behaviours were related to more childhood aggression within the context of an aggressive household. The findings of this study can be applied to prevention and treatment programs focused on curtailing childhood exposure to partner aggression and the intergenerational transmission of aggression. / Graduate / 0622 / 0620 / 0384

Aggression between couples is a pervasive social problem throughout various life stages, including the transition to parenthood. Partner aggression during this life stage is particularly problematic given the possible negative effects it has on children’s development, including the possibility of the intergenerational transmission of aggression. However, not all children who are exposed to parental aggression become perpetrators of aggression. The present study used an initial community sample of 98 pregnant couples that were followed for two years. It was found that over 90% of children were exposed to parental psychological aggression, and approximately a third of children were exposed to parental physical aggression. Exposure to psychological aggression was related to externalizing symptoms for girls, and exposure to physical aggression was related to select internalizing symptoms for boys and girls. Parenting behaviours moderated the link between exposure to parental psychological aggression and childhood aggressive behaviour. Surprisingly, although consistent with a strict interpretation of the social learning theory, high quality parenting behaviours were related to more childhood aggression within the context of an aggressive household. The findings of this study can be applied to prevention and treatment programs focused on curtailing childhood exposure to partner aggression and the intergenerational transmission of aggression. / Graduate / 0622 / 0620 / 0384

Given the nature of couple conflict, couples are frequently tasked with mutually working towards a solution to a given problem. Effective conflict management is a key relationship resource that maintains closeness and cohesiveness (Epstein & Baucom, 2002; Overall & Simpson, 2013), whereas ineffective conflict management is generally associated with impaired relationship functioning (Gottman & Notarius, 2000; Overall & Fletcher, 2010). The overarching goal of the present thesis therefore consisted of further advancing the field’s understanding of conflict management as an interpersonal process in heterosexual couple relationships. This goal was addressed through two novel and complementary studies. The sample for both studies consisted of 179 community-based heterosexual adult couples involved in a long-term romantic relationship. During the testing session, participants completed a questionnaire package and discussed a topic of disagreement for 15 minutes. These interactions were then coded for both positive and negative conflict management behaviours. Both studies modeled these conflict management behaviours alongside crucial variables involved in couple conflict. The first study examined the ways in which partners’ adult romantic attachment orientations interact to predict their conflict management behaviours. As hypothesized, the results provide preliminary evidence that, in some cases, men’s and women’s conflict management depends on the interaction between their own and their partner’s adult romantic attachment orientation, more so than a sole individual’s attachment. The second study examined whether effective conflict management moderates the negative association between relationship satisfaction and men’s and women’s use of psychological partner aggression. Contrary to hypotheses, the results suggest that, in predicting these aggressive acts, relationship satisfaction and conflict management make fairly independent contributions. These findings are based on strong theoretical frameworks as well as a number of methodological strengths, including the observational coding of positive and negative conflict management behaviours and the implementation of sophisticated dyadic data analyses. Furthermore, by filling gaps in the existing literature, these findings offer several theoretical, empirical, and clinical implications for the field of couple conflict. As individual and collective bodies of work, the studies of the present thesis provide invaluable evidence in support of the complex and interdependent nature of couple relationships. Such findings are highly relevant to couple researchers and clinicians alike, both of whom endeavour to understand and improve couple relationship functioning.

<p>Both basic personality traits and clinical personality disorders have been studied in the context of a wide range of behaviors, including antisocial behavior and aggression. Although the five-factor model (FFM) has been examined in relation to several types of non-partner aggression, relatively few studies have assessed the relations between FFM traits and intimate partner aggression perpetration. Additionally, some work has suggested that there may be differential personality correlates of intimate partner aggression versus other forms of aggression, but none has directly compared these types of aggression in terms of their personality trait profiles. The present study, reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board, sought to answer those questions as well as critically evaluate the potential mediating role of basic traits in the relation between personality disorder (PD) symptoms and outcomes related to aggression and antisocial behavior. A total of 307 participants, recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), completed a number of questionnaires assessing personality traits, PD symptoms, and various types of aggressive and antisocial behavior. Findings suggest that traits related to Agreeableness and Conscientiousness generally demonstrated the strongest and most consistent (negative) relations across all measures of aggression and antisocial behavior; however, Neuroticism-related traits also demonstrated moderate (positive) correlations with certain types of aggression. PD symptoms almost all predicted aggressive and antisocial behavior, and although ASPD and BPD were two of the most robust PD symptom correlates across aggression and antisocial behavior outcomes, they were not always the strongest PD symptom correlate for each behavior. Personality profiles were moderately similar across aggression subtypes, but some showed more convergence than others. Finally, relations between PD symptom counts and aggressive and antisocial behavior were largely accounted for by more basic personality traits.</p>