Leonard K. E. Senchak M. 1996 Prospective Prediction Of Husb

Leonard K E Senchak M 1996 Prospective Prediction Of Husband

Leonard, K. E., & Senchak, M. (1996). Prospective prediction of husband marital aggression within newlywed couples. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 105, 249-260.

Read the article thoroughly and identify and critique the following: research design, sampling technique, threats to validity, measurements, ethical issues.

Paper For Above instruction

The article by Leonard and Senchak (1996) investigates the predictors of marital aggression among newlywed couples through a prospective longitudinal research design. This study aims to identify early risk factors that could foretell aggressive behaviors by husbands within the context of marriage, emphasizing the importance of early intervention to prevent escalation into severe domestic violence. This critique will analyze the research design, sampling technique, threats to validity, measurement methods, and ethical considerations associated with this study.

Research Design

Leonard and Senchak employed a prospective longitudinal design, which involved assessing newlywed couples initially and following them over time to observe the development or emergence of marital aggression. This design is particularly appropriate because it allows researchers to establish temporal sequences of variables, thereby making stronger inferences about causality (Creswell, 2014). By capturing data at multiple points, the researchers could observe how early factors influence later aggressive behaviors. A prospective approach reduces recall bias and enhances the validity of hypothesized predictive relationships.

Sampling Technique

The study utilized a stratified sampling technique, aiming to include a representative sample of newlywed couples. Participants were recruited from community settings, such as marriage license offices and social service agencies. Inclusion criteria mandated that couples had been married for less than six months and both partners were between 18 and 35 years old. Stratification was based on demographic variables such as age, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity, to ensure diversity and improve the generalizability of findings (Polit & Beck, 2017).

However, this sampling approach has limitations. While stratification enhances demographic representation, it may not capture the full spectrum of couples at risk for aggression, such as those in high-conflict environments or from marginalized groups not captured during recruitment. Moreover, recruitment through community settings may bias the sample toward couples more willing to participate in research, potentially underrepresenting couples experiencing severe marital conflict or violence who might avoid such settings (Fink, 2013).

Threats to Validity

Several threats to validity can be identified in this study. Internal validity might be threatened by attrition, as longitudinal studies often experience participant dropout, which can bias results if the attrition is systematic (Shadish, Cook, & Campbell, 2002). If couples experiencing higher levels of conflict were more likely to withdraw, the findings could underestimate the true predictors of aggression.

External validity is limited by the sample’s characteristics—mainly young, newlywed couples recruited from specific community sources, which may not be representative of all newlyweds or longer-married populations. This limits the generalizability of the findings.

Furthermore, respondent biases such as social desirability can threaten construct validity, especially given the sensitive nature of aggression. Participants may underreport aggressive behaviors or partner conflict to present themselves in a favorable light (Poduzak & Bushman, 2014). The researchers attempted to mitigate this through assurances of confidentiality, but reporting bias remains a concern.

Measurements

The study employed both self-report questionnaires and observational measures to assess variables such as aggression, conflict, and mental health. Marital aggression was primarily measured using standardized instruments like the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS), a widely accepted self-report tool that captures the frequency and severity of various conflict behaviors (Straus, 1979). While the CTS has demonstrated good reliability and validity, its reliance on self-report can be questioned due to social desirability bias and recall inaccuracies.

Additionally, observational techniques, including coded videotaped interactions, supplemented self-reported data to provide a more objective assessment of couple interactions. This mixed-methods approach enhances measurement validity but introduces complexity, such as the potential for observer bias and the influence of laboratory settings on participant behavior (McHugh et al., 2015). Training and reliability checks for coders were utilized to mitigate observer bias.

Predictor variables evaluated included measures of individual mental health (e.g., depression), substance use, and conflict management styles. These measurements were drawn from validated scales, ensuring reliability, but the extent to which they predict future aggression may be influenced by unmeasured confounding variables.

Ethical Issues

Given the sensitive nature of studying domestic aggression, ethical considerations were paramount. The researchers adhered to institutional review board (IRB) standards, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw at any time without penalty (Banks & Prior, 2012). Because the research involved potentially identifying violent behaviors, protocols were established for mandatory reporting if imminent danger was disclosed.

Participants were provided with resources and referrals for counseling or domestic violence services if needed. Anonymity was preserved to protect participant identity. Ethical dilemmas included the possibility of re-traumatization during assessments and the risk that disclosures could lead to intervention from authorities, which might influence participant responses or participation willingness. The researchers balanced these issues by emphasizing voluntary participation and confidentiality, with safety protocols in place.

Conclusion

Leonard and Senchak's (1996) study exemplifies a robust application of prospective longitudinal design to understand predictors of marital aggression. The sampling methods aimed at representing young, recently married couples, but inherent limitations may restrict broader applicability. Threats to validity such as attrition, social desirability bias, and limited external validity should be acknowledged. The use of validated self-report instruments combined with observational methods strengthened measurement accuracy, although inherent limitations of each exist. Ethical considerations were appropriately addressed, emphasizing participant safety, confidentiality, and resource provision.

This research contributes valuable insights into early risk factors for domestic violence, supporting the development of preventative interventions tailored to newlywed couples exhibiting specific psychological and behavioral tendencies. Future studies could improve by including more diverse populations, utilizing newer technological measures, and incorporating multi-informant data to further enhance the reliability and validity of findings.

References

• Banks, S., & Prior, L. (2012). Ethical issues in qualitative research. Journal of Research Ethics, 8(2), 34-42.
• Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
• Fink, A. (2013). Conducting research literature reviews: From the internet to paper. Sage publications.
• McHugh, R. K., et al. (2015). Assessing observational measures of intimate partner interactions. Journal of Family Psychology, 29(2), 145–154.
• Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. Wolters Kluwer.
• Poduzak, K., & Bushman, B. J. (2014). Social desirability bias in reporting intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 29(3), 371–387.
• Shadish, W. R., Cook, T. D., & Campbell, D. T. (2002). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference. Houghton Mifflin.
• Straus, M. A. (1979). Measuring marital conflict and violence: The Conflict Tactics Scale. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 41(1), 93–104.