(PS10-A19) The Role of Cognitive Flexibility and Daily Anger on Intimate Partner Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) have increased globally during the COVID-19 pandemic and is an ongoing, major public health concern. Existing research has suggested individuals in violent relationships are more likely to report higher rates of anger and hostility (Norlander & Eckhardt, 2004). Further, perpetrators of IPV differ significantly from nonviolent individuals on various cognitive domains including executive function, learning, memory, and verbal functioning (Cohen at al., 1999). Additionally, a review reported that deficits in cognitive abilities may exist in perpetrators of IPV irrespective of other variables, including head injury and use of substances (Horne et al., 2020). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of cognitive flexibility on the association between anger and IPV perpetration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing data from a dyadic daily diary study assessing the daily impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on relationship functioning, participants (N=41 heterosexual couples) were recruited virtually from the United States. Individuals completed a computer-based measure of cognitive flexibility (Stoet, 2010; Stoet, 2017) at baseline, as well as self-report questionnaires over the following 30 days on measures including daily affect and aggressive behavior toward their partner. Results revealed that on days where partners reported higher levels of anger, they were more likely to become physically aggressive (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.05). However, there was a significant interaction between cognitive flexibility and daily anger associated with IPV perpetration (OR = >1.00, 95% CI = >1.00, >1.00). Negative fluctuations in anger were only associated with a decreased likelihood of IPV perpetration among individuals with higher scores on the measure of cognitive flexibility. There was no relation between within person changes in anger levels and IPV perpetration among individuals with moderate to low cognitive flexibility. These findings suggest it may be beneficial to approach cognitive flexibility during intervention prior to emotion regulation in working with both individuals and couples endorsing relationship violence.