Madeleine Beaudry

Intimate Partner Violence and Psychological Distress among Young Couples: Analysis of the Moderating Effect of Social Support

Young adults are more likely to experience intimate partner violence (IPV) than older adults. Little is known about the effect of confiding to others about sustained violence on the mental health of victims. The objective of this study was to explore the links between IPV, help-seeking behaviors and psychological distress by gender in a sample of 233 young couples.Our results indicate the frequency of sustained psychological violence, but not physical violence, was positively associated to distress. For women, seeking help from a greater number of confidents moderated the association between violence and psychological distress. For men, results showed that frequencies of physical and psychological violence were both positively linked to distress. However, unlike women, social support had no buffering effect on men’s distress. These findings increase our understanding of the effects of social support on young adults’ distress following episodes of IPV.

Perception of marital problems and of their prevention by Quebec young adults

Abstract The perception of marital problems and the interest in different themes that could be addressed in preventive programs for marital conflict were surveyed among Quebec adults aged 18 to 25 years. Results show that communication problems were perceived as particularly frequent and damaging for couples. Furthermore, jealousy seemed to be a particular concern for these young adults. They also showed a level of interest in different premarital counseling topics that was moderately high but less than the interest shown by American college students. Adaptation to the arrival of the first child, parenting skills, and expressing feelings were judged as the most interesting themes by the participants, whereas spiritual development, organizing household tasks, and relationships with in-laws were considered the least interesting.

Assertiveness training and human communication processes

In spite of the wealth of descriptions of assertive behavior, there is no consensus either on a precise definition or on a theoretical model of assertiveness. However, as there is a certain unanimity on the view that assertive behavior should lead to more satisfying, interpersonal relationships for all persons involved, it could be helpful to put the concept of assertiveness in the context of adequate, human communication and its beneficial effects. After a review of the principal controversies concerning the nature of assertive behavior and the content of assertiveness training programs, the authors present the main components of a theoretical model of communication, and consider certain of its implications for the field of assertiveness. The use of a model of communication to define assertiveness would help to develop some hypotheses concerning the function and importance of different aspects of assertive behavior in interpersonal relationships, and give more coherence to the practice of assertiveness training.

Typology of Perceived Causes of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration in Young Adults

Abstract The objectives of this study were to investigate the perceived causes of perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV) among young adults, to assess whether distinct profiles exist, and to investigate sex differences. Questionnaires and structured interviews were administered to 233 young French Canadian couples. Findings revealed that the perceived cause of anger was the most frequently provided explanation for partner aggression. In addition, women reported anger as a perceived cause of their violence more frequently than men, while men reported loss of control and revenge more often than women. Moreover, classification analyses resulted in three profiles of IPV perpetrators based on the perceived causes of their violence: (1) Reactive, (2) Common, and (3) Hostile. The Reactive profile is characterized by the perceived causes of self-defense and loss of control. Individuals in this profile also perpetrated the greatest number of different physically violent behaviors. Individuals in the Common pr...

Typology of perceived causes of IPV perpetration in young adults

Abstract The objectives of this study were to investigate the perceived causes of perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV) among young adults, to assess whether distinct profiles exist, and to investigate sex differences. Questionnaires and structured interviews were administered to 233 young French Canadian couples. Findings revealed that the perceived cause of anger was the most frequently provided explanation for partner aggression. In addition, women reported anger as a perceived cause of their violence more frequently than men, while men reported loss of control and revenge more often than women. Moreover, classification analyses resulted in three profiles of IPV perpetrators based on the perceived causes of their violence: (1) Reactive, (2) Common, and (3) Hostile. The Reactive profile is characterized by the perceived causes of self-defense and loss of control. Individuals in this profile also perpetrated the greatest number of different physically violent behaviors. Individuals in the Common pr...