PREDICTING MILD AND SEVERE HUSBAND-TO-WIFE PHYSICAL AGGRESSION

Nonordered multinomial logistic models were used to estimate the odds of mild and severe husband-to-wife physical aggression in 11,870 White men. Being younger, having a lower income, and having an alcohol prob lem significantly increased the odds of either mild or severe physical aggression. A drug problem uniquely increased the risk of severe phys ical aggression. Marital discord and depressive symptomatology, but no t work stress, further increased the odds of both mild and severe phys ical aggression, with marital discord being the most influential psych ological variable. Compared with mildly physically aggressive men, tho se who were severely physically aggressive earned lower income, were m ore likely to report an alcohol or a drug problem, and had more marita l discord and depressive symptomatology.