STYLES OF CONFLICT IN INTIMATE-RELATIONSH IPS OF PATIENTS WITH PANIC DISORDER AGORAPHOBIA - A PILOT-STUDY WITH THE STYLES OF CONFLICT INVENTORY (SCI)

The following paper presents data of a pilot study concerning styles o f conflict in patients and their partners. Patients fulfilled DSM-IPI- R criteria for panic disorder and agoraphobia. Results reveal higher s cores of both frequency and intensity of conflicts before onset of the panic disorder compared to a control group, as well as higher scores in global and verbal aggression towards their partners. Onset was foll owed by a nonsignificant decrease of both frequency and intensity of c onflict and by a significant decrease of aggressive behaviour. The par tners were seen less assertive and less withdrawing after onset of pan ic. Correlations between the quality of relationship and styles of con flict showed a notably higher level of attribution to the partner's st yles of conflict after onset than before. Finally, results are discuss ed emphasizing the correlation and co-occurrence of aggression, confli ct and anxiety.