TYPOLOGIES OF MALE BATTERERS - 3 SUBTYPES AND THE DIFFERENCES AMONG THEM

Previous typologies of male batterers, including typologies developed by means of rational-deductive and empirical-inductive strategies, are reviewed. On the basis of this review, 3 descriptive dimensions (i.e. , severity of marital violence, generality of the violence [toward the wife or toward others], and psychopathology/personality disorders) th at consistently have been found to distinguish among subtypes of batte rers are identified. These dimensions are used to propose a typology c onsisting of 3 subtypes of batterers (i.e., family only, dysphoric/bor derline, and generally violent/antisocial). A developmental model of m arital violence is then presented, and the previous literature is revi ewed to examine how each batterer subtype might differ on variables of theoretical interest. Finally, some of the methodological limitations of previous typology research are reviewed, and suggestions for futur e work are offered.