The role of conflict-based communication responses and outcomes in male domestic violence toward female partners

The general purpose of this study was to investigate domestic violence with in a conflict framework, Specifically, the associations between conflict-ba sed, communication responses and outcome behaviors and the frequency and se verity of male domestic violence towards female partners were examined. Par ticipants were 251 male volunteers who reported on a range of communication responses and outcomes for both self and partner. The contribution of rela tionship distress was controlled for and also examined as a moderator. Rela tionship distress was not found to be a significant moderator. Results show ed that 8 communication response variables and 4 outcome variables were sig nificantly associated with the frequency and/or severity of male domestic v iolence. Relative to non-violent relationships, relationships with male vio lence had more male and female unilateral verbal aggression, more mutual ve rbal aggression, more male demand/partner withdraw, less constructive relat ive to destructive communication, and less mutual problem-solving. Relation ships with male violence also had poorer resolution of problems and more em otional distance after problem arguments and discussions than their non-vio lent counterparts.