Final answer:
O'Leary (1993) describes a continuum of aggressive behavior in abusive relationships ranging from verbal aggression to murder. This continuum pertains to the various forms of aggression present in IPV, which can be physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional, and often escalate over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
O'Leary (1993) presents a continuum of aggressive behavior in abusive relationships anchored by verbal aggression on one end and murder on the other end. This continuum reflects the range of abusive behaviors that can occur within intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV may include various forms of harm such as physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological violence, as well as threats, intimidation, and technological violence. It's been found that different genders tend to exhibit different patterns of violence, and aggression can take forms such as bullying, which can be physical, psychological, emotional, or social.
Bullying and IPV are both serious social issues with significant impacts on the victim's mental health and well-being. IPV often escalates from less severe forms of aggression to more severe forms, becoming chronic and resulting in serious injury or death. Domestic violence is a common term for IPV involving family members, and the impact of IPV is not limited to adults; it affects adolescents and college students, resulting in a continuation of victimization into adulthood.