An Empirical Classification of Motivations for Domestic Violence

National survey research suggests that males and females are equally likely to perpetrate domestic violence, but surveys have not examined the interpersonal context or motivation for domestic violence. The questioning of identified partner assaulters suggests that females use violence for self-defense and escape, whereas males use violence to exercise control, punish, or demand attention. The perception of perpetrator violence, however, appears also to be a function of the gender of the individual appraising the violence. Six male and 6 female adult nonperpetrators sorted into categories the stated motivations for domestic violence of 215 male and 66 female court-referred perpetrators. Factor analysis revealed (a) motivations common to all: control, anger expression, and coercive communication; (b) motivations specific to gender of perpetrator: retaliation, self-defense, escape, and punishment; and (c) motivations specific to gender of perpetrator and sorter: alcohol use and response to verbal abuse.