Parent Aggression Exposure and Negative Expectancies in Couple Conversation: Rejection Sensitivity as a Mediator

ConclusionsFindings suggest that individuals who experience aggression in their family-of-origin are more likely to anticipate negative interactions with their dating partner during young adulthood. Results also highlight rejection sensitivity as a key mechanism of this process. Taken together, these findings help to explain why some individuals have negative expectancies as they approach difficult discussions with a romantic partner, which may be a putative link in the intergenerational continuity of aggression.

Source: Journal of Family Violence - October 11, 2023 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research