Perceived Conflict Patterns and Relationship Quality Associated With Verbal Sexual Coercion by Male Dating Partners

Abstract

The study of verbal sexual coercion in heterosexual relationships is controversial because nonphysical coercive tactics are often viewed as socially acceptable. It was hypothesized that, within couples, verbal sexual coercion will occur within a larger context of destructive conflict tactics and diminished relationship quality. Female undergraduates in consensually sexual dating relationships (N = 193) provided self-report data on male partner verbal sexual coercion perceived conflict behaviors, and relationship quality. About 21% reported current partner verbal sexual coercion. Results reveal positive associations between feeling pressured into unwanted sex and perceptions of partner psychological abuse and destructive verbal conflict patterns. Also as expected, partner verbal sexual coercion is negatively associated with relationship satisfaction and sexual functioning. The authors conclude that women's experiences of verbal sexual coercion in heterosexual relationships may reflect broader problems in the dyadic context.

Physical, Psychological, and Sexual Intimate Partner Aggression Among Newlywed Couples: Longitudinal Prediction of Marital Satisfaction

“…First, consistent with prior work (e.g., Katz and Myhr 2008;Lawrence and Bradbury 2007;Schumacher and Leonard 2005), we hypothesized that husband-and wife-perpetrated physical, psychological, and sexual IPA during the first year of marriage (T1) would be negatively associated with…”

“…Existing research with nonnewlyweds reveals some conflicting findings regarding the role of sexual IPA in relationship satisfaction. Among female undergraduates, for example, experiencing verbal sexual coercion has been linked to lower relationship satisfaction (Katz and Myhr 2008); however, a similar study using a different measure to assess sexual coercion found no such relationship (Katz et al 2006 …”

The Relationship Between Heteronormative Beliefs and Verbal Sexual Coercion in College Students

“…Verbal sexual coercion is defined as using verbal tactics to get one's partner to engage in more sexual activity than he or she wants and can include the use of lies, guilt, promises, begging, negotiating, continual arguments, or threats (Basile, 1999;DeGue & DiLillo, 2004;Livingston, Buddie, Testa, & VanZile-Tamsen, 2004). Verbal sexual coercion is an extremely common type of sexual aggression, being reported in 20-25 % of women's current romantic relationships (Hines, 2007;Katz, Kuffel, & Brown, 2006;Katz & Myhr, 2008;Muñoz-Rivas, Graña, O'Leary, & González, 2009) and occurring at a higher rate than physical coercion or coercion through intoxication (Abbey, BeShears, Clinton-Sherrod, & McAuslan, 2004;Humphrey & White, 2000;Spitzberg, 1998).…”

Attachment Style and Less Severe Forms of Sexual Coercion: A Systematic Review

“…Less severe forms of sexual coercion are by no means''lesser''in terms of their negative impact on victims (Katz & Myhr, 2008). Less severe forms of sexual coercion, however, are qualitatively different from more severe forms.…”

“…Psychological pressure such as arguing, verbal threats, and partner manipulation may be deemed as less severe or more subtle/implicit forms of coercion (Spitzberg & Rhea, 1999). While these less severe forms of sexual coercion may not be explicitly criminal, and may ultimately involve consensual sexual activity, the effects of such sexual coercion are significant and can include outcomes such as post-traumatic stresssymptoms,depression,andreductionsinrelationshipquality (Arata & Burkhart, 1996;De Visser, Rissel, Richters, & Smith, 2007;Gidycz, Coble, Latham, & Layman, 1993;Katz & Myhr, 2008;Zweig, Barber, & Eccles, 1997). Moreover, the prevalence rates of these lesser forms of sexual coercion are two to four times higher than more severe forms (Brousseau et al, 2011;O'Leary & Williams, 2006;Spitzberg, 1998).…”