Men Who Batter
      There is no definite way to determine why some men batter, but 
there are common psychological characteristics, known as "risk markers".

The following risk markers were derived from studies comparing 
batterers to non-batterers.

Risk Markers for Spousal Violence
Intrapersonal elements:


low self-esteem 
fear of intimacy 
high power/control needs 
high levels of anger/hostility 
depression 
low stress tolerance 
defensiveness 
denial/minimization/justification of own violence
Interpersonal elements:


possessiveness/suspiciousness/jealousy of partner 
poor communication with partner 
guardedness in all relationships 
difficulty expressing affection 
verbal aggressiveness 
negative attitudes toward women
Environmental elements:


violence in family of origin 
alcohol/other drug abuse 
un- or under-employment 
child abuse (more than half of all batterers also abuse their children)


In addition, there are other risk markers that commonly go along with 
extreme spousal violence.

A History of:

Having been severely abused by parents as a child 
having perpetrated severe spousal abuse 
separations and divorces 
using a weapon 
arrests
Psychological Factors:


antisocial personality 
alcohol abuse or dependency 
generalized aggression 
emotional volatility 
high levels of dysphoria, alienation, dependency
Situational Factors:


availability of a weapon 
recent separation 
threat of divorce 
child custody dispute 
recent escalation of violence 
verbal or non-verbal threats 
open hostility toward spouse 
isolation from supports for non-violent resolution of problems


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