The inhibitory effectiveness of these dimensions were explored using data from Williams and Straus's National Panel Survey of Deterrence Processes, a national probability sample of 424 men involved in marital or marriage-like relationships. The survey was conducted by telephone in 1985, 1986, and 1987. Results revealed that, despite their violent family histories, men who developed strong attachments to significant others such as their marital partner, their friends, and their relatives and perceived the possibility of negative sanctions from them were more likely than the other men to be nonviolent with their female partners. Findings were generally consistent with theoretical predictions concerning two dimensions of the social bond. Tables, appended table, and 47 references (Author abstract modified)