We investigated the frequency and types of electronic partner aggression (EPA) victimization and its relation to offline partner aggression (PA) and psychological functioning. The sample was comprised of 200 predominantly White (73.5%) Canadian university students (83.5% women; 18–23 years of age) with dating experience. EPA occurred in 67.5% (verbal) to 86.5% (coercive control) of the sample. EPA and offline PA victimization were positively associated (ps < .05) and frequently co-occurred. Higher levels of PA were generally associated with higher levels of internalizing, externalizing, and total problems, with offline sexual aggression and coercive control EPA subtypes being most predictive of poor psychological functioning (ps < .05). Findings indicate that many emerging adults use communication technology to aggress against their romantic partners, that such aggression appears to be part of a larger pattern of PA and is most deleterious when coercive control is present, and that assessment of and prevention and intervention initiatives for PA need to consider both electronic and offline aggression.

Drama is a term used in popular culture to refer to interpersonal conflict that arises when individuals overreact to events and are overly emotional. The current study investigated emerging adults’ perspectives of drama, the context in which it occurs, and how drama relates to similar social interactions such as conflict, bullying, and relational aggression. University students ( N = 53; 18–25 years old) participated in eight same-sex focus groups. Using thematic analysis, seven main themes were found, suggesting that “drama” (a) refers to a wide range of situations, (b) is often associated with negative social interactions, and (c) harm and consequences, (d) is generally perceived as unnecessary, (e) exaggerated, and (f) involving females, and (g) frequently offers a learning experience. Findings suggest that future research should continue to explore drama as its own construct and that drama should be addressed more formally given how youth may be impacted by such incidents.

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