Predictors of Premilitary Courtship Violence in a Navy Recruit Sample
Abstract
This study extended research on intimate partner (IP) aggression to premilitary experiences of IP violence among U.S. Navy recruits. Riggs and O'Leary's (1989) model of courtship aggression was examined separately for men (N = 1,307) and women (N = 1,477). Partner verbal, physical, and sexual aggression and alcohol use were used as additional predictors of courtship aggression. Situational components explained more variance in the data than the background components. Partner aggression contributed to a substantial increase in the amount of variance. We found that partner's verbal aggression was the single best predictor of aggression, and partner's physical aggression was the second best predictor. The situational component substantially increased the predictive power of the model and background variables made a small but significant contribution. The results support the validity of the Riggs and O'Leary model. The results support the conclusion that IP violence prevention programs should contain material that will allow men and women to learn that violence begets violence. An P may initiate behaviors that she/he perceives to be trivial; however, these behaviors can trigger an escalated response from their partner that may result in negative short and long-term medical and psychological consequences for both partners.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 05, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA370104
Entities
People
- J. W. White
- L. L. Merrill
- M. P. Koss
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center