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Heterogeneity of Spouse Abuse: A Review

NCJ Number
198330
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2003 Pages: 107-130
Author(s)
Louise Dixon; Kevin Browne
Date Published
January 2003
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This article questions the assumption that spouse abusers comprise a single homogenous group.
Abstract
By testing a proposal that there are three distinct typologies for domestic violent men, this article questions the assumption that spousal abusers comprise a single, distinct homogenous group. After arguing that violence within the family is a common phenomenon of modern society, the authors present a brief literature review of research on domestic violent offenders in order to question whether these individuals are truly all the same. Examining vast literature discussing the feasibility of categorizing male spouse abusers, the authors discuss, in-depth, earlier proposals that there are three primary types of domestic violent men: family only, generally violent and antisocial, and dysphoric/borderline personality. Comparing this tripartite classification to nine empirical research studies and two hypothetical studies on court-referred men found in the spousal abuse literature from 1994 to the present, the authors assert the relevance of the proposed threefold typology of domestic violent males. Ascertaining that domestically violent men are a heterogeneous group, the authors suggest that the creation of typologies for domestic violent offenders will aid police, public service, and health sector workers in better treating and dealing with domestic violence by tailoring interventions towards the specific types of offenders. Tables, references