Most women were not married and had low family incomes, and both women and their partners abused drugs. All women experienced increased depression and stress due to battering. A mental health needs assessment survey of 198 American Indian women found that women who reported a history of domestic violence were more likely to be separated or divorced and reported more problems with alcohol than women with no history of domestic violence. Results of domestic violence interviews are compared to the mental health needs assessment survey and studies of battered women in shelters. Additional research is recommended to study battered American Indian women on reservations and to assess characteristics of domestic violence among American Indian couples. 36 references and 2 tables