Multivariate analysis of covariance and discriminant function analysis were used to examine the data. As hypothesized, the battered group shared many characteristics of the sexual offenders, but were less tolerant of minor irritations and frustrations, were more likely to be despondent, and tended to focus on potential interpersonal harm. The batterers were also less likely to endorse interpersonal violence as an acceptable part of relationships. The sexual offenders and batterers differed from the community comparison group on five variables: hostility toward women, depression, alienation, impulse expression, and deviation. However, the violent community comparison group differed from the sexual offender group only on interpersonal problems and deviation. The two best discriminating variables were hostility toward women and depression, lending credence to the usefulness of a combined feminist-psychodynamic approach to understanding male violence against women. 1 table and 25 references