The Social Context of Physical Aggression Among Adults

Adult respondents to a telephone survey who had been involved in an incident of physical aggression in the past 12 months were asked open- and closed-ended questions regarding the social context of the most recent incident. Incidents that occurred in bars were more likely to involve male participants, drinking by the respondent and opponent, more than two participants, and low emotional impact. Incidents in public places also tended to involve males and drinking by the opponent. Aggression in social gatherings occurred primarily among friends or acquaintances and was reported equally often by males and females with most incidents involving both genders or males only. Incidents in the home were more likely to be reported by females than males and tended to occur between intimate couples, involve only two participants, and have high emotional impact. The usefulness of a contextual approach for developing a better under-standing of naturally-occurring aggression is discussed.