Abstract

Using the data collected from 100 males and 100 females in their 20-30s, the study explored examined the effect of self-criticism/attack on verbal violence, and the double mediation effect of primary anger thought and negative emotional reactivity. First of all, women displayed higher level of primary anger thought experienced in close relationships than men. There was no significant gender difference found in other variables. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the effect of self-criticism/attack, primary anger thought, and negative emotional reactivity on verbal violence was all significant. The sequential mediation effect of primary anger thought and negative emotional reactivity was significant between self-criticism/attacking and verbal violence. In other words, the higher the self-criticism/attacking, the more likely to display primary anger thought experienced in close relationships, the stronger the negative emotional reactivity, and the more likely to display verbal violence. In addition, negative emotional reactivity mediated the relationship between self-criticism/attacking and verbal violence. In other words, the higher the self-criticism/attacking, the stronger the negative emotional reactivity, and the more likely to display verbal violence. Finally, implications of the study on verbal violence and coping strategies were discussed.