NCJ Number
139828
Journal
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry Volume: 62 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1992) Pages: 264-275
Date Published
1992
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Data from 165 men who were being assessed for admission for a treatment program for abusive men were used to categorize the types of men who batter their intimate partners.
Abstract
Information was gathered from clinical intake interviews, which included assessments with the Conflict Tactics Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and other instruments. the participants had an average age of 30.6 years, and 75.8 percent were white. The data were analyzed using cluster analysis. Results revealed three types of battering men: family-only aggressors, generalized aggressors, and emotionally volatile aggressors. The clustering variables explained 90 percent of the variance in the assignment to categories. The findings indicated the need for more refined intervention strategies after immediate steps have been taken to stop both the abuse and the justifications for it. The generally violent man may need help in uncovering and healing his psychic wounds from childhood, stopping his alcohol abuse, and improving impulse control through cognitive restructuring. The emotionally volatile man may need help in expressing feelings in non- aggressive ways. the family-only aggressor, who suppresses his emotions, may gain most from interventions that emphasize the communication aspects of assertiveness training, after being given "permission" to express anger and other emotions and to understand his assertive rights. Tables and 45 references