Love, Aggression and Satisfaction in Dating Relationships

Abstract

This study examined (1) whether certain lovestyles facilitate aggression in dating relationships and (2) the effects of aggression on relationship satisfaction (i.e. its main, mediating and moderating effects). The sample consisted of 149 female undergraduate students involved in an ongoing heterosexual dating relationship. Multiple regression analyses indicated that Mania was the strongest predictor of courtship aggression. In terms of the impact of aggression on relationship satisfaction, aggression had a main effect on satisfaction as well as moderated the relationship between certain lovestyles and satisfaction. However, aggression did not mediate the association between lovestyles and satisfaction. The implications of, and some possible explanations for, these findings are discussed.