Many stuies show that communication is a basic variable in understanding functioning of couple. A pattern of marital interaction in which one partner tries to discuss a relationship problem and is demanding whereas the other tries to avoid discussion and withdrawn during discussion is a particularly destructive style of interaction. This pattern is labelled from A. Christensen the demand/withdraw pattern and the research demonstrated that is highly associated with dissatisfaction. J. Gottman considers this pattern an interaction style that could be of particular use in understanding the dynamics of couples characterized by Abusive Relationship.

The aim of this present research is to examine the communication patterns of couples characterized and couples non characterized by IPV (Intimate Partner Violence).

Subjects. 85 couples (53 married, 24 engaged, 8 living together). The mean ages of women and men are 37.04 years (SD: 11.04) and 40.01 years (SD: 11.39) respectively. Measures: Communication Patterns Questionnaire (CPQ), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), Self-report about use of physical violence and emotional abuse in the couple.

“Couples differentiate for presence/absence of violence (physical and/o emotional) in intimate relationship. Violent couples have significantly higher scores (p < .05) than other group on Total amount of demand-withdraw communication subscale, Mutual Avoidance and Witholding subscale of CPQ and on Dyadic Adjustment Scale of DAS.”

These preliminary findings should provide clinicians and researchers of sexual counselling and psychotherapy with important information about the relationship of couple. These findings can be the basis for future research to examine communication styles in couples with sexual problems.