Beginning with a brief discussion of some theoretical perspectives, the report then reviews research on battered women and the medical field, law enforcement, the legal system, homicide, marital rape, and child custody. Summaries following each of these topics focus on changes that have occurred due to the research findings. The last section critically examines some popular myths and stereotypes about spouse abuse; it shows that research has largely failed to support them. The topics encompass psychopathology of victims and offenders, dangers for police in their response to domestic violence incidents, the battered husband syndrome, mutual combat, and the cycle of violence. Topics suggested for additional research are the battering of pregnant women, the abuse of physically or developmentally handicapped spouses, the role of religion, and the new phenomenon of battered women losing custody of their children to their abusers because of their "failure to protect" the children from their own fathers. 13 notes and 177 references