CLINICAL COUPLES' AGGRESSIVE AND WITHDRAWAL COGNITIONS AND BEHAVIOR: THEIR INDEPENDENT AND COMBINED ASSOCIATIONS WITH THE RECIPIENTS' TRUST AND RELATIONSHIP COMMITMENT

Abstract

This study examined the relations of partners' aggressive cognitions and behaviors and withdrawal cognitions and behaviors with the recipient's trust in the partner and commitment to their relationship. It involved a secondary analysis of data from a sample of 82 couples who sought therapy at a university-based couple and family therapy clinic serving the local community. The sample had been identified through pre-therapy assessments as experiencing some degree of psychological aggression and/or mild to moderate physical aggression in their relationships. Relations between aggressive thoughts and behaviors, as well as withdrawal thoughts and behaviors, and levels of the other partner's trust and commitment to the relationship were tested. Results indicated significant associations of greater aggressive and withdrawal behaviors and cognitions with lower partner commitment and trust, and that cognitions are associated with partner trust and commitment even when controlling for the individual's associated behavior.