FEMALE VICTIM PERCEPTIONS OF THE CAUSES OF MALE SPOUSE ABUSE

Victims of spouse abu- were interviewed concerning their views of why their husbands were abusive. It was hypothesized that by concentrating on one specific characteristic of this kind previously undocumented p atterns of response would be elicited from the subjects. It was conclu ded that the women's reasons for the violence perpetrated by their spo uses serve as justification for the abusers' actions and legitimize ma intenance of the relationship.