PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL DYSFUNCTIONS IN BATTERING MEN - A REVIEW

This review examines psychological factors in the personalities of bat tering men. Issues reviewed include theoretical typologies of domestic ally violent men with focus on their use of alcohol, their frequent an tisocial orientation, and their mood. Attention is directed to their p oor educational records and their frequent criminality. The biological /genetic literature related to aggression and violence is also discuss ed. Speculation is made about a typology involving two types of batter ers. One type is frequently alcohol-abusing, antisocial, low in intell igence and criminal in history. The second type uses less alcohol, is brighter and better socialized, has a better work record and lacks a c riminal background, The conclusion is made that batterer intervention programs should acknowledge that batterers frequently have psychologic al and social problems in addition to their violence in the home. Sugg estions are made for inserting alcohol education and controlled drinki ng concepts into battering intervention programs. Recommendations are made about the management of batterers with serious character problems . (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.