GENDER-ROLES, AGGRESSION, AND ALCOHOL-USE IN DATING RELATIONSHIPS

We examined the relationship among gender roles (i.e., hypermasculinit y and hyperfemininity), psychological maltreatment, verbal and physica l aggression, and alcohol use in dating couples. Fifty-six couples com pleted questionnaires on adherence to gender-role identity, psychologi cal maltreatment, verbal and physical abuse, and average alcohol consu mption in their current dating relationship. We found that the interac tion. of hypermasculinity and hyperfemininity in a dating relationship contributes to a man's perception of being verbally abused, a woman's perception of having her self-esteem attached, and a man's consumptio n of liquor. These findings suggest that couples high in the character istics of hypermasculinity and hyperfemininity may be more at risk for establishing and maintaining abusive relationships.