- Negative reinforcement of hostile behaviour is significantly associated with both psychological and physical aggression in adolescent dating relationships.
- Observational study of 209 teen couples used laboratory problem solving discussions and analogue conflict tasks, with coders blind to hypotheses.
- Findings inform prevention and intervention and highlight developmental processes, noting early aggression often predicts relationship dissolution.
Adolescents. 2026 Feb;6(1):23. doi: 10.3390/adolescents6010023. Epub 2026 Feb 18.
ABSTRACT
Coercion theory posits that a vicious cycle of negative reinforcement traps both parents and children, shaping young children to become stably aggressive in conflicts with their parents. Research on intimate partner violence has found some evidence supporting the application of coercion theory in explaining aggressive escalation in adult conflicts as well. It is unclear whether the same processes are at play during teens’ early dating relationships. On the one hand, dating aggression emerges as soon as dating relationships do. On the other hand, we also know that if aggression presents extremely early in relationships, dissolution is the most likely path. We explored the role of coercion in 209 teen dating couples who were observed in a laboratory series of problem-solving discussions and analogue conflict tasks. All data were coded by trained coders blind to hypotheses. Analyses suggest that negative reinforcement of hostility is indeed significantly associated with both psychological and physical aggression in an adolescent dating sample. Implications for prevention and intervention are discussed, as well as developmental processes that may contribute to dating aggression in light of our findings.
PMID:42730356 | PMC:PMC13567456 | DOI:10.3390/adolescents6010023
Share Evidence Blueprint
Save to Google Notes
Search Google Scholar
Save as PDF
⭐ My Revision List
