The study was prompted by earlier research proposing that male batterers have observed or experienced violence in their families during childhood. The data came from the National Family Violence Resurvey of 1985 provided by Straus and Gelles. Results revealed that intrafamilial conflict affects behavior in intimate relationships. The status of the relationship also contributes to the vulnerability to victimization. Cohabitors were more likely to engage in future violent relationships than spouses with similar patterns of teenage victimization and observation of domestic violence. A possible explanation of this result is society differing fears regarding stranger and family violence and the possibly greater acceptability of violence with a partner who remains nonfamilial than of violence with a spouse. Findings indicate the need for further research on variations among different victim populations with similar background experiences. Tables and 25 references (Author abstract modified)