The most commonly reported psychosocial problems linked to battering include rape, substance abuse, attempted suicide, depression, and child abuse. Three models have been developed to explain spouse abuse. The interpersonal violence model emphasizes psychological deficits, psychosocial problems, and distorted interpersonal communication as causal factors. According to the family violence model, intimacy and privacy that distinguish the family from other groups lead to high rates of domestic violence, including spouse abuse. The gender-politics model, based on the idea of violence against women, reflects an attempt by men and discriminatory institutions to maintain greater authority and privilege. Of the four components of spouse abuse prevention (shelter, law enforcement, legislation, and health care), the health response remains the least developed. The health response should begin by improving the identification and evaluation of abuse and by referring victims to appropriate services. To prevent spouse abuse, the health sector must go beyond the traditional medical model of prevention to complex social prevention. Source of data on the nature and incidence of spouse abuse in the United States are identified, and causes of and risk factors associated with domestic violence are examined. Demographic dimensions of spouse abuse are also discussed, as well as interventions to prevent battering. 105 references