Relationship aggression, marital satisfaction, and gender differences: The effects of historic trauma, traditionality, alcohol and drug use, and influence of parent relationship aggression with Oklahoma American Indian and Euro-American samples.

Abstract

The current study investigated relationship aggression and marital satisfaction in Oklahoma American Indian relationships. The influence of traditionality, historic trauma, and presence of parents' relationship aggression were examined; additionally, demographics such as age of participant, years in relationship, education level, and socioeconomic status were considered. One hundred eighty-four participants, both American Indian and Euro-American, completed a packet of inventories and questionnaires: the Conflict Tactic Scales, 2nd edition (CTS-2); the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS); an Historic Trauma questionnaire and a Demographics sheet. The American Indian participants were administered the Life Perspectives Scale, Revised (LPS-R). Resulting data were analyzed by ethnicity (American Indian and Euro-American) and gender. Results indicated there is a link between psychological aggression and physical aggression for the Oklahoma American Indian sample. Several different variables were found to influence each type of relationship aggression, and each gender endorsed predictor variables differently. The hypothesis that Oklahoma American Indians experience higher levels of relationship aggression was confirmed; however, this sample did not indicate that marital satisfaction was lower than the Euro-American sample.