The study findings are preceded by a discussion of related theoretical perspectives and a review of research on the alcohol-violence linkage. Study findings show that although excessive drinking is associated with higher wife abuse rates, alcohol consumption is not an immediate antecedent of violence in the majority of families. 'Blue-collar' socioeconomic status is not by itself significantly associated with wife abuse. The combination of 'blue-collar' status, drinking, and approval of violence is significantly associated with the highest rate of wife abuse. Of the three factors, cultural approval of violence by men against women is the most strongly associated with wife abuse. Although the results provide some evidence to support the 'drunken bum' theory of wife beating, the stereotype is not supported, since findings indicate alcohol is neither necessary nor sufficient to produce wife abuse. 5 tables, 2 figures, 80 references, and 6 footnotes. (Author abstract modified)