OBSERVED AND REPORTED PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL AGGRESSION IN YOUNG,AT-RISK COUPLES

The occurrence of observed and reported physical and psychological agg ression was examined for young, at-risk mostly unmarried couples using reports from both partners and observational data. It was predicted t hat males higher in antisocial behavior would be more likely to have a n antisocial partner and that antisocial behavior would predict aggres sion toward the partner. The prevalence of reported physical aggressio n was comparable to that found for prior studies and was generally hig her for the young women than the young men. Observed aggression was si gnificantly associated with reported aggression, and psychological agg ression was associated with physical aggression. Assortative partnerin g by antisocial behavior was found. The young man's aggression toward his partner was predicted particularly by his antisocial behavior, whe reas that of the young woman was predicted by depressive symptoms and low self-esteem. Relationship satisfaction was associated with the occ urrence of psychological aggression but not of physical aggression.