Behind Closed Windows: A Study of Long-Distance Relationships and Susceptibility to Aggression

摘要

Long-distance relationships are relatively common, though little is known about the manner in which aggressiveness is resolved in these circumstances. Advances in technology have made communication within long-distance relationships much easier, potentially increasing the risk of aggression. Attachment patterns have also been identified as having particular relevance to long-distance relationships as well as intimate partner violence. Aggression was measured in long-distance and geographically close relationships using a validated measure, the voodoo doll task. It was hypothesized that conflict avoidance will mediate the relationship between distance relationship status and aggression, and avoidant attachment styles will be associated with conflict avoidance. The relationship between distance relationship status, use of conflict avoidance, and aggression was evaluated using Poisson regression, zero-inflated Poisson regression, and negative binomial regression. Avoidant attachment patterns were hypothesized to be associated with higher conflict avoidance. Findings suggest that conflict avoidance did not mediate use of aggression as hypothesized, nor was there a significant difference in aggression expressed between long-distance and geographically close relationships. Avoidant attachment patterns were found to be significantly associated with higher conflict avoidance scores. Of note, there was no significant difference in pins inserted in a virtual voodoo doll between long-distance and geographically close couples. This finding suggests there is a risk of aggression within long-distance relationships, comparable to that of couples in geographically close couples.