Aggression in Marriage: Longitudinal Study of Newlyweds

Introduction

With the goal of learning how to best prevent aggression in marriages, researchers set out to establish what variables precipitate aggressive behavior in married couples. Domestic violence is "surprisingly common," according to the author, with as many as 21% of surveyed couples reporting some type of physical violence occurring within the past year (Frye, 2006, p. 2). Moreover, the rates and severity of domestic violence fluctuate over the course of a marriage. To clarify this variability and identify specific factors that either cause or are strongly correlated with the expression of aggression, Frye (2006) performed a longitudinal study. The central research questions are as follows: When are couples most likely to engage in aggressive behavior? What psychological variables are correlated with physical aggression in marriages? What contextual variables are correlated with the expression of violence among married couples?

Although some research has illustrated a distinction between psychological and physical aggression, findings reveal "nearly no partners who engage in physical but not psychological aggression" (Frye, 2006, p. 2). Thus, prior research demonstrates a clear connection between psychological and physical expressions of aggression. Surveys of married couples have also shown that aggression tends to occur relatively early in the marriage, making it important to focus research on newlyweds.

Literature Review

Among the psychological variables correlated with aggressive behavior within marriage, acute stress is one of the most commonly cited in the literature. External or extra-marital stressors may therefore precipitate aggressive behavior within the relationship. Unemployment is a common external stressor that particularly impacts the correlation between male spouse behavior and marital aggression. The direction of this correlation has yet to be conclusively proven, as it remains possible that individuals who are more likely to generate stress in their lives outside marriage are also more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior within it. Moreover, prior research has failed to clearly differentiate between distinct stress factors, such as unemployment versus a sudden accident. The current research attempts to address these gaps by examining how external stress impacts psychological coping, which in turn affects expressions of aggression within the marriage. Frye (2006) hypothesizes that aggressive behavior in marriage will covary with psychological stress — both chronic and acute — and that psychological stress is related to external circumstances.

Subjects included a sample of first-married newlyweds solicited through newspaper advertisements and a review of marriage licenses. Prerequisites for participation included the following: couples had to have been married for less than six months, have no children, and have never been previously married. The sample included 82 eligible couples.

Methods

Couples were mailed a packet of questionnaires to complete independently at home, with each spouse completing his or her own survey separately. Couples were also invited to a laboratory to complete an additional questionnaire. They were surveyed again at six-month intervals for a total of six assessments and were offered a small stipend for their participation.

Measures included marital satisfaction, which was controlled for throughout the study. To assess marital satisfaction, the Semantic Differential was used — a 7-point scale rating perceptions of the marriage. Physical aggression was measured with the Violence subscale of Form N of the Conflict Tactics Survey (CTS), which offers an 8-item subscale of specific behaviors ranging from pushing and shoving to using a knife or gun. Psychological aggression was measured using the Verbal subscale of Form N of the CTS, which includes six items such as insulting, swearing, sulking, and threatening. Both acute and chronic stress were also measured. The Life Experiences Survey assessed acute stress by soliciting information about specific external stressors occurring within the past six months. A 9-point scale was used to measure chronic stress across several life domains, including work and school.

Conclusion

Nurses in all areas of specialization will encounter issues related to psychological or physical aggression in married and cohabiting couples. Knowing how to recognize warning signs and understanding how to counsel couples or individuals experiencing stress may help reduce incidences of domestic violence.