Anger Awareness and Violent Perpetration among Couples: A Mediation Model through the Lens of GST

• In Event: Theoretical Developments in Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Current research has posited that coercive control (actions that deliberately take away the autonomy and authority of the victim) is an important factor in understanding the underlying motivation to commit violence against intimate partners. If partners have differing views of who possesses authority within the relationship, stress occurs that could result in violent perpetration. However, few efforts have been made to link these trends with theory. Using structural equation modeling, the etiology of violent perpetration is analyzed through the lens of Agnew’s General Strain Theory. The current study examined whether various sources of strain and stress were related to perpetrating violent action among 14,252 couples using the International Dating Violence Survey, 2001-2006. Strain and stress were measured using coercive control and external stressors. The study further examined whether the relationship between these different sources of strain and violent perpetration were mediated by an individual’s ability to recognize whether they were becoming angry. Results indicate that there are different underlying motivations to commit violent perpetration for males and females. Yet, male and female perpetration were both mediated by the individual’s ability to recognize anger.

Author

• Devon Krey, Oklahoma State University