Typology of Relational Conflicts Across Relationship Context

• In Event: Findings from the Interpersonal Conflict and Resolution (iCOR) Study

Abstract

Empirical studies have long documented the link between different types of relational conflicts, e.g., psychological violence (AKA verbal abuse or non-physical aggression) and physical violence. In general, studies found that psychological/verbal abuse may occur in the absence of physical violence, while physical violence rarely occurs without psychological/verbal abuse. Several gaps are identified: First, most of these typology studies focus on intimate partner violence; second, studies tend to focus on victimization; last, most typology studies used samples of convenience or local samples. This study explores whether there are distinct profiles of psychological and physical relational conflict (victimization and perpetration) across three types of relationships. A person-centered approach, latent class analysis, is conducted on a national representative sample of young adult between age 18 and 32. Psychological/verbal abuse includes 5 items, e.g., calling someone a name, and physical violence includes 3 items, e.g., hitting someone with the idea of hurting them physically. A three class model was found for each relationship context. However, item endorsement given class membership differs across relationship context. The implication on the prevention of serious relational aggression through targeted efforts in altering conflict management styles will be discussed.

Authors

• Weiwei Liu, NORC at the University of Chicago

• Bruce G Taylor, NORC at the University of Chicago

• Mark T Berg, University of Iowa

• Elizabeth A. Mumford, NORC at the University of Chicago