With limited exceptions, existing research has focused on either intrafamily violence or crime and violence outside the family. This study examined the proportion of men who only offend extrafamilially, the proportion of men who are violent only towards their wives, and the proportion of men who are violent in both spheres. Unincarcerated males…

This commentary identifies critical issues regarding social interventions with families in which both child maltreatment and woman battering are suspected. Addresses several common assumptions of service providers and suggests changes in current practice. (Author)

Presents a group treatment model using Thought-Feeling-Action (TFA) Systems, an offense- and offender-specific group treatment for abusers. Describes use of TFA Systems in group of court-referred male spouse-abusers. Reviews evolution of TFA Systems, then focuses on TFA Systems treatment of spouse abusers. Notes that system can be adapted to other…

This study was conducted to compare sufficiently large samples of male batterers (N=99) and help-seeking nonbatterers (N=71) on factor structure of the eight personality scales on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) and MCMI profiles within similar subgroup types. The groups were matched on age, education range, marital status, and…

Examined difference between male and female reports of violence and threats directed by the man toward the woman. In many categories, significantly more women were found at intake to report more threats and violence than their male partners. After extensive intervention these differences were not found in the more severe categories of violence.…

Evaluated self-esteem of 20 abusive husbands and made comparisons to two groups of nonviolent husbands: maritally discordant group; and satisfactorily married group. Results suggested association between wife abuse and low self-esteem in abusive husband. Abusive husbands were more likely to perceive their wives' behavior as threatening to…

Male abusers (n=36) who attended a 6-month outpatient domestic abuse treatment program and their female partners completed measures of powerlessness and tolerance for being controlled, both before and after the men completed treatment. Contrary to the study's hypothesis, treatment failed to decrease abusers' powerlessness or to increase their…

Alcohol consumption is often associated with aggressive behaviors. This study compared the contexts and reasons for drinking of maritally violent men (N=44) and three maritally nonviolent comparison groups: happily married men (N=54), unhappily married men (N=41), and men who had been convicted of a violent offense, but who did not beat their…

Presents results of empirical studies that contradict the popular conception of domestic violence as essentially a masculine form of assaultive behavior. Suggests that the popular view has contributed to men's increasing legal and social defenselessness. Discusses the appropriateness of psychotherapeutic approaches to the problem. (Author/KS)

Analyzed data on services offered to battering males in a survey of 90 agencies. Found that most agencies are young, inadequately funded, and provide diverse services independent of each other, and that batterers exhibit characteristics that need specific treatment. Described a developing model for successful treatment. (JAC)

Administered Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) to 67 men expressing concerned about their violence in relationships. Results revealed MMPI profiles consistent with batterer's tendency to minimize and externalize blame for his violent behavior, feel inadequate and dissatisfied with himself, have low ego strength, be overly…

Studied affect, psychophysiology, and verbal content of arguments in 60 couples with violent husband. Found that no wife behaviors successfully suppressed husband violence once it began; husband violence escalated in response to nonviolent and violent wife behaviors. Both battering husbands and their wives were angrier than their maritally…

Studied risk assessment for abuse cases by examining cases (N=20) referred to local spouse treatment center. Focused on woman's perception of mate's personality/behavioral characteristics and relationship plus other situational factors. Confirmed majority of risk factors associated with spouse abuse as reported in the literature. Presents pilot…

Compared physical violence rates in Black families (N=147) of 1975 First National Family Violence Survey and its 1985 replication (N=576). Compared Black family sample to general survey respondents (1975, N=2,143; 1985, N=6,002). Found decline in violence toward Black women, Black-to-White ratio increase for violence toward men and children, and…

Discusses characteristics of men arrested for spouse abuse and describes treatment methods that evaluative research suggests curtail domestic violence. A small-group educational format for court-referred treatment of abuse is described. (Author/ABB)