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Demand-avoid-withdraw processes in adolescent dating aggression.
Michael F Lorber1, Danielle M Mitnick1, Stacey S Tiberio2
1Family Translational Research Group, New York University, New York, New York, USA.
Aggressive Behavior
|January 16, 2023
Summary
Adolescent demand-withdraw interactions in dating predict aggression, but hostility may explain this link. Higher quality demands may reduce aggression, though further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Adolescent dating aggression is a significant concern.
- Understanding interactive patterns like demand-withdraw is crucial for intervention.
- Previous research has not fully explored the nuances of demand-withdraw sequences in relation to dating aggression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between demand-withdraw interaction patterns and adolescent dating aggression.
- To investigate the role of demand quality in this relationship.
- To explore the potential mediating or confounding role of hostility.
Main Methods:
- Observational laboratory assessment of 209 couples (aged 14-18).
- Measurement of demand, demand-partner withdraw, and demand-partner avoid sequences.
- Dyadic data analyses to disentangle actor and partner effects.
- Dual informant questionnaire for physical and psychological aggression, and hostility.
Main Results:
- Demand-withdraw and demand-avoid sequences were positively associated with both physical and psychological aggression.
- Higher quality demands showed an inverse association with aggression.
- These associations were rendered nonsignificant after controlling for hostility, suggesting hostility may be a confounder or mediator.
Conclusions:
- The link between demand-withdraw sequences and dating aggression might be spurious, with hostility being the underlying factor.
- Hostility may mediate the relationship between demand-withdraw patterns and aggression.
- Further research is necessary to clarify the causal pathways and inform preventive interventions for adolescent dating aggression.
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