Open AccessAggressive Humor as a Negative Relational Maintenance Behavior during Times of Conflict
Author(s) -
Whitney Anderson,
Nancy DiTunnariello
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2016.2149
Subject(s) - psychology , romance , thematic analysis , social psychology , sarcasm , interpersonal communication , interpersonal relationship , friendship , qualitative research , psychoanalysis , art , literature , irony , social science , sociology
This study explores how aggressive humor is used as a negative relational maintenance behavior during conflicts in romantic relationships. Negative relational maintenance behaviors are questionable interpersonal behaviors romantic partners use to relieve personal tensions about the state of the relationship while still keeping the relationship in existence. Twenty-six participants in committed romantic relationships participated in seven semi-structured group interviews, and transcripts from these group interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. This analysis revealed participants were motivated to use aggressive humor in conflict situations to cover up topics of discussion, elicit a response from their partners, and ease tension. Aggressive humor was enacted through sarcasm, repetition, and mimicking. These findings extend existing research on negative relational maintenance behaviors and provide insight to the “dark side” of maintaining romantic relationships.