The Interplay of Perceptions and Conflict Behaviors during Disagreements: A Daily Study of Physical Teen Dating Violence Perpetration

Abstract

Physical dating violence (DV) is a widespread problem among adolescents. A growing body of literature demonstrates that physical DV often occurs during disagreements when partners use destructive conflict management strategies, such as conflict engagement (e.g., losing control, criticizing) or withdrawal (e.g., acting cold, being distant). However, little is known regarding how the individual daily variability on the use of destructive conflict management strategies can influence the probability of perpetrating day-to-day physical DV, especially if the other partner is also perceived as using destructive behaviors. Using an intensive longitudinal approach, the current study first aimed to examine the daily associations between the use of various conflict management strategies and physical DV perpetration in adolescent dating relationships. A second objective was to investigate if perceived partner’s conflict behaviors moderated the relation between self-reported conflict management strategies and day-to-day physical DV perpetration. A sample of 216 adolescents ( Mage = 17.03, SD = 1.49) involved in a dating relationship, completed a baseline assessment followed by 14 daily diaries. Results of multilevel logistic analyses revealed that using conflict engagement strategies significantly increased the probability of day-to-day physical DV perpetration. Furthermore, the probability of perpetrating physical DV was significantly higher on days in which teens reported using high levels of conflict engagement while also perceiving their partner as using high levels of conflict engagement or withdrawal. These findings yield new insights on the daily context in which disagreements might escalate into aggression. Evidence from this study further supports the conflict escalation pattern and the demand/withdraw communication pattern in the context of adolescent dating relationships. Preventive initiatives should address the interplay of perceptions and conflict behaviors concerning physical DV perpetration.

Demand‐avoid‐withdraw processes in adolescent dating aggression

“…Regarding our research questions, all DAW variables were associated with self and partner physical and psychological dating aggression, extending research that found similar relations in the adult literature (e.g., Spencer et al, 2020) and research with adolescents that has found withdrawal and avoidance to be associated with dating aggression (Bonache et al, 2017; Fortin et al, 2021; Messinger et al, 2012). However, none of these associations survived after controlling for hostility.…”

“…a Rate per minute. Fortin et al, 2021;Messinger et al, 2012). However, none of these associations survived after controlling for hostility.…”

“…We propose five main implications for future research. First, the extent to which hostility confounds DAW behaviors in relation to adolescent dating aggression (Bonache et al, 2017; Fortin et al, 2021; Messinger et al, 2012) and adult IPV (e.g., Berns et al, 1999) in prior research is unclear. Given how strongly DAW sequences were associated with hostility in the present study, re‐evaluations of earlier studies and evaluations of hostility as a confounder in subsequent studies are indicated.…”

“…In a Spanish sample (Bonache et al, 2017; 13–18 years old), adolescents who reported that they or their partners withdrew more during conflicts tended to report higher levels of psychological and physical dating aggression perpetration and victimization. In a Canadian sample (Fortin et al, 2021; 14–19 years old), adolescent withdrawal was associated with greater perpetration of physical dating aggression. Messinger et al (2012) found positive associations between avoidance and physical dating aggression perpetration and victimization, as reported by US high school girls (14–19 years old).…”

“I felt imprisoned”: A qualitative exploration of controlling behaviors in adolescent and emerging adult dating relationships

“…They had to be aged between 14 and 24 years old. For a description of the quantitative component of the research, readers are referred to Laforte et al (2023) Fortin et al (2022).…”