The study found that the intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by these women involved not only features of the couple's interaction, but also a complex set of relationships in the social environment that contributed to the perpetuation of the IPV. Findings show that members of an abused woman's family provided advice and support that were conditioned by dominant concepts of gender roles, making it difficult for them to provide helpful guidance and support. The women also reported the intrusion of members of their partners' families. This was particularly significant because of the widespread Mexican custom of young couples living with the husband's family. Conflicts often arose between the IPV victim and her mother-in-law, who traditionally monopolizes control of the home. The IPV was often fueled by the stress associated with failure to meet the expectations of the husband's family members regarding the wife's compliance with the husband's family's norms and values regarding the behavior and responsibilities of wives/women. Within these value systems, the female's submission to violence is a consequence of her failure to comply with gender role expectations. IPV is thus regarded as an inevitable part of family tradition or as a deserved punishment for failure to meet expectations for a good wife and/or mother. Interviews were held with 26 women between the ages of 23 and 72. Data analysis consisted of the identification of themes related to the characteristics of family interactions. 5 notes, 41 references, and appended listing of topics included in the interview guide