AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR Volume 37, pages 56–62 (2011) Media Depictions of Physical and Relational Aggression: Connections with Aggression in Young Adults’ Romantic Relationships Sarah M. Coyne 1Ã , David A. Nelson 1 , Nicola Graham-Kevan 2 , Emily Tew 1 , K. Nathan Meng 1 , and Joseph A. Olsen 1 1 Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 2 University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, United Kingdom : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Various studies have found that viewing physical or relational aggression in the media can impact subsequent engagement in aggressive behavior. However, this has rarely been examined in the context of relationships. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to examine the connection between viewing various types of aggression in the media and perpetration of aggression against a romantic partner. A total of 369 young adults completed a variety of questionnaires asking for their perpetration of various forms of relationship aggression. Participants’ exposure to both physical and relational aggression in the media was also assessed. As a whole, we found a relationship between viewing aggression in the media and perpetration of aggression; however, this depended on the sex of the participant and the type of aggression measured. Specifically, exposure to physical violence in the media was related to engagement in physical aggression against their partner only for men. However, exposure to relational aggression in the media was related to romantic relational aggression for both men and women. Aggr. Behav. 37:56–62, 2011. r 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Keywords: aggression; media; television; relational aggression; abuse; intimate partner violence INTRODUCTION In seeking to explain the etiology of aggression in young adult romantic relationships, many factors may be considered. This article uniquely focuses on the association between media depictions of aggres- sion and enactment of aggressive behavior toward a spouse or romantic partner (in a current or recent relationship). This association has only rarely been considered in previous research. For example, Huesmann et al. [2003] found that a heavy diet of TV physical violence during childhood predicted some forms of relationship abuse during adult- hood (e.g. pushed, grabbed, or shoved spouse). In contrast, Hettich [2001] found that relationship abuse was not correlated with viewing sports violence, although this is noticeably only one facet of potential media violence exposure. Interestingly, decades of research have revealed that viewing violence on television may have a considerable impact on subsequent aggressive thoughts and behavior in non-romantic relationships [e.g. Anderson et al., 2003]. Most of this research has focused on children, who are considered to be a more vulnerable audience than adults. However, Bushman and Huesmann’s [2006] meta-analysis revealed that, although long-term effects of viewing media violence were stronger for children, short- term effects were stronger for adults. Accordingly, this study further probes associa- tions between observing media aggression and the enactment of aggression in young adults’ romantic relationships. In doing so, this study is also unique in that we define media aggression more broadly, consistent with the varied forms of aggression in interpersonal relationships. Specifically, the term intimate partner violence has been used to describe not only physical but also verbal and emotional aggression directed toward an intimate partner. Physical aggression encompasses a broad range of behaviors, from pushing a partner to using weapons Published online 2 November 2010 in Wiley Online Library (wiley onlinelibrary.com). DOI: 10.1002/ab.20372 Received 4 February 2010; Accepted 27 August 2010 Grant sponsor: The Family Studies Center at BYU. Ã Correspondence to: Sarah M. Coyne, School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, JFSB 2087, Provo, UT 84602. E-mail: smcoyne@byu.edu r 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.