Cognitions,coercion, and IPV: Sex differences in pursuing resisted physical intimacy

Communication in close relationships impacts social development and the meeting of personal desires and wants. Since interpersonal violence (IPV) is common in close relationships, this study investigated the extent to which context‐relevant cognitions were associated with use of verbal IPV (e.g., coercion) when communicating for resisted physical intimacy. Based on a convenience sample of U.S. college students, results confirmed that a constellation of cognitions related to the use of coercion and that the rate of use and set of cognitions related to use of coercion differ between males and females. Discussion suggests that examination into the complexities of the cognition–behavior relationship will advance understanding of communication processes related to goal pursuit and use of verbal IPV in interpersonal contexts.