Citation

Hughes FM, Stuart GL, Coop Gordon K, Moore TM. J. Soc. Pers. Relat. 2007; 24(2): 155-176.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0265407507075406

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study explored factors that might place women at risk for utilizing physical aggression in their relationships. Women (N = 103) court-referred to violence intervention programs completed measures of family of origin violence, relationship aggression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and borderline personality features. Relationship aggression was correlated with reports of parent-to-child violence in the family of origin, borderline personality features, and the partner's use of violence. Regression analyses indicated that, controlling for partners' aggression, PTSD symptoms were negatively associated with physical aggression, and borderline features were positively associated with physical aggression. The relationship between family of origin violence and the use of physically aggressive conflict tactics was mediated by borderline features. Study limitations and implications for future research are discussed.