When members of a couple are upset with each other’s behavior, it can be quite tempting to express their negative feelings to the other person through forms of verbal and nonverbal aggression to convey dissatisfaction and induce the other person to change. Studies have indicated that partner aggression is common across diverse countries and cultures (Kar & Garcia-Moreno, 2009; Krahé & Abbey, 2013). It also occurs across sexual orientations (Rollè, Giardina, Caldarera, Gerino, & Brustia, 2018).
Although some individuals consider it justifiable to engage in milder physical partner aggression (e.g., pushing, slapping) or even more severe acts that cause bodily harm (battering), many people consider physical aggression unacceptable and avoid it. Given the evidence that physical partner aggression commonly harms victims’ physical health (e.g., chronic pain, insomnia, gastrointestinal problems) and mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms) (Ahmadabadi et al., 2020; Coker et al., 2002; Sugg, 2015), avoiding it is essential.
Traditional treatments for perpetrators of physical aggression have involved anger management groups (Epstein & Falconier, 2024). For couples who engage in milder physical aggression that has been called “common couple violence” (Johnson, 1995), conjoint couple therapies have been developed and found to be safe and effective (Epstein & Falconier, 2024; Stith, McCollum, & Rosen, 2011). Therapists must be very cautious when screening couples who experience physical aggression for possible conjoint therapy and must maintain firm behavioral ground rules to which partners must........