NCJ Number
147493
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1993) Pages: 165-176
Date Published
1993
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined associations between family-of-origin violence, levels of current abusive behavior, and self-reports of psychopathology in a sample of 24 men in a maritally violent group, 24 nonviolent men in discordant marriages, and 24 nonviolent men in happy marriages.
Abstract
The results show that violence in the family of origin, particularly severe childhood physical abuse, can differentiate partner-abusive men. Men who were severely abused as children had higher rates of personality disorders and other psychopathology on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II), as well as higher levels of psychological and physical aggression in their current adult relationship. Physical abuse of the mother in the family of origin among battering husbands was related to higher levels of psychological and physical aggression directed toward their partner, but not to higher levels of psychopathology. The study confirmed earlier findings that violence is more prevalent in family backgrounds of maritally violent men compared to nonviolent counterparts in either unhappy or happy marriages. 3 tables, 4 notes, and 28 references