Parent Aggression Exposure and Negative Expectancies in Couple Conversation

Rejection Sensitivity as a Mediator

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6435516
AutoresArthur Beale (0000-0003-0310-3294, University of Southern California, autor correspondente), Yana Ryjova (0000-0002-2037-8743, University of Southern California), Alaina I Gold (0000-0001-9466-792X, University of Southern California), Yehsong Kim (0000-0003-3263-9493, University of Southern California), Kelly F M Kazmierski (0000-0001-7914-7184, University of California, Irvine), Marie-Ève Daspe (0000-0002-7262-7174, Université de Montréal), Mark H C Lai (0000-0002-9196-7406, University of Southern California), Gayla Margolin (0000-0002-1713-0640, University of Southern California)
Ano2023
Volume40
Fascículo4
Páginas755-765
Data de publicação2023-10-11
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Family Violence (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0885-7482 • E-ISSN: 1573-2851
EditoraSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s10896-023-00635-2
OpenAlexW4387535884
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas56

Purpose Exposure to aggression during childhood or adolescence has been linked to negative outcomes, including poor future romantic relationship functioning. As a step toward understanding such intergenerational influences, the present study investigates whether aggression exposure in the family-of-origin is associated with negative expectancies of romantic partner interactions when facing a challenging couple discussion. Rejection sensitivity is tested as a mediator of this association, and gender was explored as a potential moderator. Method Negative expectancies were assessed before a 10-minute discussion about desired changes in the relationship in a sample of young adult dating couples. To test the theorized relationship between variables, the study employed self-report measures of parent aggression, rejection sensitivity, and negative expectancies. Results Multilevel analyses showed that exposure to family-of-origin aggression was positively associated with negative expectancies about the upcoming change discussion task, even after controlling for dating aggression within the current relationship. Additionally, rejection sensitivity mediated the association between parent aggression and negative expectancies. Gender did not moderate these associations. Conclusions Findings suggest that individuals who experience aggression in their family-of-origin are more likely to anticipate negative interactions with their dating partner during young adulthood. Results also highlight rejection sensitivity as a key mechanism of this process. Taken together, these findings help to explain why some individuals have negative expectancies as they approach difficult discussions with a romantic partner, which may be a putative link in the intergenerational continuity of aggression

Aggression · Association (psychology · Conversation · Developmental psychology · Domestic violence · Injury prevention · Intimate partner · Moderation · Multilevel model · Poison control · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Psychology · Social Psychology