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Published in: Journal of Family Violence 7/2008

01-10-2008 | Original Article

Does Controlling Behavior Predict Physical Aggression and Violence to Partners?

Authors: Nicola Graham-Kevan, John Archer

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 7/2008

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Abstract

Using data obtained from women’s shelter residents, male and female students, and male prisoners, this study investigated the association between non-violent controlling behaviors, physical aggression, and violence towards a spouse (N = 264). It was predicted that only men and women involved in intimate terrorism (Johnson, Violence Against Women, 11(12):1003–1018, 2006) would use controlling aggression, and that physical aggression used by those involved in situational couple violence would be unrelated to controlling behavior. Contrary to predictions derived from Johnson’s theory, regression analysis showed that control accounted significant proportions of the variance in the use of physical aggression for all three relationship categories. Some support was provided, however, as it was found that the pattern of both interrelationships of the five types of controlling behaviors, and control and physical aggression, supported Johnson’s distinction.
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Metadata
Title
Does Controlling Behavior Predict Physical Aggression and Violence to Partners?
Authors
Nicola Graham-Kevan
John Archer
Publication date
01-10-2008
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Family Violence / Issue 7/2008
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-008-9162-y

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