TY - JOUR
T1 - Autonomic arousal and relational aggression in heterosexual dating couples
AU - Murray-Close, Dianna
AU - Holland, Ashley S.
AU - Roisman, Glenn I.
PY - 2012/6
Y1 - 2012/6
N2 - This study investigated the association between romantic relational aggression and autonomic nervous system (ANS) arousal in the context of heterosexual dating couples (N = 115 couples). Results indicated that romantic relational aggression was associated with low resting sympathetic arousal, high resting parasympathetic arousal, and exaggerated fight or flight responses to a conflict discussion (sympathetic activation and parasympathetic withdrawal). However, ANS activity was more strongly associated with romantic relational aggression in the context of low-quality romantic relationships, and sympathetic activity was more strongly associated with aggression among females, whereas parasympathetic activity was more strongly associated with aggression among males. Results indicate that psychophysiological functioning may serve as a risk factor for the perpetration of relational aggression against romantic partners.
AB - This study investigated the association between romantic relational aggression and autonomic nervous system (ANS) arousal in the context of heterosexual dating couples (N = 115 couples). Results indicated that romantic relational aggression was associated with low resting sympathetic arousal, high resting parasympathetic arousal, and exaggerated fight or flight responses to a conflict discussion (sympathetic activation and parasympathetic withdrawal). However, ANS activity was more strongly associated with romantic relational aggression in the context of low-quality romantic relationships, and sympathetic activity was more strongly associated with aggression among females, whereas parasympathetic activity was more strongly associated with aggression among males. Results indicate that psychophysiological functioning may serve as a risk factor for the perpetration of relational aggression against romantic partners.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84861481797&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2011.01348.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2011.01348.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84861481797
SN - 1350-4126
VL - 19
SP - 203
EP - 218
JO - Personal Relationships
JF - Personal Relationships
IS - 2
ER -