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The Role of Psychological and Physical Aggression In Relationship Reconciliation.
René M Dailey1, Abigail D Hazlett1, Chelsea Brass-Rosenfield1
1Department of Communication Studies, 12330University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|January 31, 2022
Summary
Aggression in romantic relationships increases the likelihood of reconciliation after breakups, especially when the aggression was one-sided. This suggests relationship cycling may perpetuate aggressive dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Relationship Science
- Domestic Violence Research
Background:
- Previous research links relationship cycling (repeated breakups and reconciliations) with increased psychological and physical aggression.
- Individuals in cyclical relationships are at higher risk for experiencing greater violence.
- Understanding the mechanisms driving reconciliation in aggressive relationships is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between a history of aggression and reconciliation within six months post-breakup.
- To examine the mediating roles of post-dissolution closeness and self-concept clarity.
- To explore the moderating effect of aggression directionality (unidirectional vs. bidirectional).
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 179 individuals recently experiencing a breakup.
- Assessment of aggression history (psychological and physical), post-dissolution closeness, and self-concept clarity.
- Statistical analyses including logistic regressions and moderating mediating analyses (Hayes' PROCESS).
Main Results:
- Both psychological and physical aggression were significantly associated with reconciliation.
- Post-dissolution closeness mediated the link between aggression and reconciliation, but only for unidirectional aggression.
- Aggression prior to breakup predicted increased closeness, facilitating reconciliation, particularly in one-sided aggression scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Aggression, especially unidirectional, predicts reconciliation through increased post-breakup closeness, highlighting a cycle of revictimization.
- Findings provide insights into why individuals return to previously aggressive relationships.
- Further research is warranted to explore the causal links between relationship cycling and aggression.
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