Reporting Patterns of Unidirectional and Bidirectional Verbal Aggression and Physical Violence Among Rural Couples

In this study, we examined the occurrence of verbal aggression and physical violence along with the concordance of reporting in 517 cohabiting rural couples. More female partners reported perpetrating verbal aggression than their male partners reported being a victim. Male partners reported being a victim of physical violence more than females reported perpetrating physical violence. Female partners reported being a victim of both verbal aggression and physical violence more than males reported being a victim or perpetrator. Based on reporting patterns, the prevalence of violence varied considerably. The findings have implications for how violence is measured in couples and how prevalence is reported.