Generalized Versus Spouse-Specific Anger/Hostility and Men’s Violence Against Intimates

Abstract

The present study examined the extent to which generalized versus spouse-specific anger/hostility was associated with partner violence in 263 men seeking conjoint marital therapy. Clinic men were classified as nonviolent (NV), moderately violent (MV), and severely violent (SV). A community comparison group of relationship-satisfied, nonviolent men (CO) was also included. All clinic men reported higher levels of generalized and spouse-specific anger, spouse-specific aggression/hostility, depressive symptomatology and lower spouse-specific assertiveness than community men. SV men reported higher levels of spouse-specific anger/hostility, relationship discord, depressive symptomatology, and lower general problem-solving ability than NV men. Regression analyses confirmed that spouse-specific anger/hostility, low problem-solving ability, and relationship discord were significant predictors of men’s violence. Overall, generalized anger and hostility were not unique predictors of men’s violence against intimates.