The study was designed to assess physical violence in families. Data were collected through computer-assisted random digit-dialing telephone interviews. The participants had an average age of 41.83 and ranged from 18 to 90 years old. Results revealed that men who witnessed violence between their parents were more likely than other men to use ineffective conflict resolution strategies. These strategies included insulting or swearing; sulking or refusing to talk; stomping out of the room; being spiteful; threatening to hit or throw something at the wife; and throwing, smashing, hitting, or kicking something. The use of ineffective conflict resolution strategies increased men's likelihood of encountering marital distress and engaging in wife battering. Contrary to the expectations of the study, the results also revealed a direct link between witnessing interparental violence and wife battering. Figure, tables, and 36 references (Author abstract modified)