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Personality and Biographic Data That Characterize Men Who Abuse Their Wives

NCJ Number
117715
Journal
Clinical Psychology Volume: 44 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1988) Pages: 75-81
Author(s)
J M Schuerger; N Reigle
Date Published
1988
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study presents personality and background data on 250 men enrolled in group treatment for wife abuse.
Abstract
Background data included self-reports of level of violence, income, education, occupation, and violence in family of origin. Standard measures available included 16PF, the Psychological Screening Inventory (PSI), and the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) for personality and alcoholism. Follow-up data were available for 44 of the subjects. Among the major conclusions of this study were: (1) the findings of prior studies on the prevalence of alcoholism, drug abuse, and violence in the family of origin of abusive men were verified; (2) though not distinguished greatly from the general population, these men tend toward withdrawal, compulsivity, compliance, and tension; (3) significant proportions are alcoholic and tend to schizoid patterns or are neurotic; and (4) the degree of self-reported violence can be predicted well by pathology scores on the 16PF and PSI, by his score on the MAST, and by the degree of his endorsement of irrational statements. Among the respondents to the follow-up questionnaire in this study, the amount of self-reported violence after treatment is less than that reported before and includes relatively little physical violence. 11 references. (Author abstract modified)

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