Personality and biographic data that characterize men who abuse their wives

Personality and background data were presented on 250 men enrolled in group treatment for wife abuse. Follow-up data were available for 44 of these men. Standard measures available included 16PF, PSI, and MAST for personality and alcoholism. Background data included self-reports of level of violence, income, education, occupation, and violence in family of origin. Prior findings that link alcoholism and violence in family of origin to current family violence were confirmed. Level of violence was found to be related to more general pathologies, to alcoholism, and to prior family violence. Otherwise, no typology of violent men emerged in terms of pathology or general personality.