This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Feeney, J. A. Articles by Hill, A. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Victim-perpetrator differences in reports of hurtful events

The University of Queensland, j.feeney{at}psy.uq.edu.au

Andrew Hill

The University of Queensland

This research project addressed limitations identified in previous studies of role differences (victim vs. perpetrator) in evaluations of hurtful events. The study employed multiple methods (open-ended and structured retrospective reports and experience-sampling diary records), and involved a community sample of both dating and married couples. Retrospective reports indicated that the extent and direction of role-related differences varied markedly across dependent measures. Further, role differences were moderated by forgiveness, but not relationship status, relationship satisfaction, or event severity. Diary records pointed to the ambiguity inherent in many communication acts as contributing to differing perceptions of hurtful events. Results are discussed in terms of theories of interdependence and self-presentation and in terms of the complex and often ambiguous nature of couples’ communication processes.

Key Words: communication • conflict • hurt feelings • relational transgressions • victim-perpetrator differences

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 23, No. 4, 587-608 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407506065985


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?