Data were obtained through telephone interviews of adult couples (18 years old or older) in the United States, conducted during the summer and early fall of 1986. This was the second wave of a three-wave national panel study of sanctions and assaults involving adult couples. Two perceptual properties of the costs associated with wife assault were measured: the risks of negative costs and the severity of such costs. Data on perceived costs of the act were obtained in three areas: the threat of spouse attachments, social stigma through rejection by friends, and self stigma (lowered self-esteem). Respondents were queried about how an arrest experience might influence the three dimensions of the cost of spousal assault. Respondents deemed arrest costs as higher than the costs of spousal assualt without arrest. Apparently, the arrest experience would impart to the assault a seriousness and a negative consequence not otherwise perceived by the perpetrator. The costs flowing from arrest, therefore, should be viewed by policymakers as part of deterrence. Study limitations and suggestions for further research are discussed. 14 notes, 3 tables.