Testing a typology of batterers

A Holtzworth-Munroe and G. L. Stuart (1994) proposed a tripartite typology of men who batter their female partners based on the severity of violence, extent of violence, and personality disorder characteristics. The current s tudy attempts to empirically validate this typology using data from 75 dome stically violent (DV) men and their partners, and 32 maritally distressed, nonviolent (DNV) comparison couples. Mixture analysis results generally sup ported the model, although 2 types were nor distinguishable on personality disorder characteristics as predicted. Generally violent batterers were sig nificantly more violent within and outside the relationship. The pathologic al group was moderately violent within and outside the relationship and end orsed numerous psychological symptoms. Family-only batterers endorsed fewer symptoms and were less violent. Violence in the family of origin, attachme nt, and communication skills also differentiated the 3 types and DNV men.