In a recent study published in the journal Communications Psychology , researchers from the University of St Andrews investigated how intra- and inter-personal experiences of negative emotion influence aggressive behavior between intimate partners. Their results indicate that interventions such as forced breaks can effectively reduce impulsive aggression by diminishing negative emotional arousal and limiting impulsive actions, suggesting practical strategies for managing conflict in relationships. Study: Both partners’ negative emotion drives aggression during couples’ conflict .
Image Credit: Anna Tigra / Shutterstock Background Previous studies have shown that aggression between intimate partners is a widespread issue, with many couples experiencing some form of physical conflict. Research indicates this aggression is often reactive, meaning it happens impulsively in response to strong emotions like anger. One key factor linked to this impulsive behavior is known as "negative urgency," which describes the tendency to act rashly when feeling upset.
This impulsivity is a major contributor to aggressive behavior in relationships but is distinct from systematic abuse. Additionally, studies suggest that both partners' emotions can influence aggression during conflicts. For example, when one partner expresses negative emotions, it can trigger similar feelings in the other, leading to a cycle of retaliation and escalating conflict.
This cycle is often described in models like .