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Psychological reactance and violence within dating relationships
S L Hockenberry1, R E Billingham
1Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405-4801.
Psychological Reports
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Individuals in violent dating relationships exhibit higher psychological reactance, indicating a stronger need to protect personal freedom. This suggests psychological reactance is a key factor in understanding relationship violence.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Conflict resolution in dating relationships is a significant area of study.
- Understanding the psychological factors contributing to relationship violence is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between psychological reactance and violent behaviors in dating relationships.
- To compare psychological reactance levels between individuals in nonviolent and violent dating relationships.
Main Methods:
- Participants (86 males, 127 females) were classified into nonviolent or violent groups based on conflict-resolution behaviors.
- Hong's Psychological Reactance Scale (four subscales) was used to measure dependent variables.
- Multivariate analyses were employed to compare groups.
Main Results:
- Individuals in mutually violent relationships scored significantly higher on all four reactance subscales compared to those in nonviolent relationships.
- Men scored higher than women only on the reactance to conformity subscale.
- Findings suggest heightened sensitivity to perceived threats to personal freedom in violent relationships.
Conclusions:
- Psychological reactance may be an important variable in violent dating behaviors.
- Partners in violent relationships may be more protective of their sense of freedom.
- Interpersonal control dynamics related to psychological reactance warrant further investigation.