Contrary to expectations, battered women generally did not blame themselves for the abuse: only 21.6 percent did so, a proportion not significantly different than the number of self-blamers in the nonvictim sample. Self-blaming battered women were more likely to be depressed and have low self-esteem than were those who blamed external factors for the abuse. Those who blamed a characterological aspect of themselves for the abuse were most affected, although those blaming a behavioral characteristic were also likely to be depressed. The least troubled groups were those who blamed both themselves and their partners (interactive blame). In opposition to the premises of learned helplessness theory, perceived stability of the situation was significantly predictive of low depression and high self-esteem. Finally, also incongruent with learned helplessness, was the finding that neither perceived control in the relationship nor general feelings of helplessness (universality) had independent or interaction effects on self-esteem and depression. 5 tables and 27 references.