Close Dating Relationships among College Students: Differences by Use of Violence and by Gender

Data from 280 first-year college students in serious dating relationships were examined. Differences in relationship dimensions, negotiation styles and use of coping strategies were identified between participants in violent and non-violent relationships and between males and females. Multivariate analysis of covariance techniques revealed significant effects for gender and use of violence on the dependent research variables. No interaction effects were noted. Those in violent dating relationships reported more relationship conflict and greater ambivalence toward the relationship. Partners in violent relationships more frequently used the negotiation styles of negative affect, indirect appeal and emotional appeal. They also more often relied on confrontation and escape/avoidance as coping strategies. When negotiating, women more often used bargaining and emotional appeal. With respect to coping, women were more likely to use social support while men relied more often on self-control and escape/avoidance techniques. Implications of these findings are discussed.