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Personality correlates of men who abuse their partners: A cross-validation study

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Abstract

The present study was designed to replicate a previous investigation of personality profiles of men who abused their partners. The initial study found personality profiles reflecting general categories related to schizoidal /borderline, narcissistic/anti-social, and dependent/compulsive personality disorders. Cross-validation revealed a nearly identical replication of the initial findings. Further, as with the initial study, only about 12% of the subjects in the present effort showed no discernable psychopathology. It was concluded that (1) there is no unitary “batterer profile”, (2) the vast majority of batterers examined evidenced personality disordered profiles, and (3) personality and psychopathological processes must be considered as part of the constellation of psychosocial factors related to spouse abuse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Practice, Medical College of Wisconsin, Southeastern Family Practice Center, Tallent Hall, P.O. Box 598, 53141, Kenosha, Wisconsin

    L. Kevin Hamberger

  2. Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center, Zablocki V. A. Medical Center, USA

    James E. Hastings

Authors
  1. L. Kevin Hamberger
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  2. James E. Hastings
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Hamberger, L.K., Hastings, J.E. Personality correlates of men who abuse their partners: A cross-validation study. J Fam Viol 1, 323–341 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00978276

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