Causes and Maintenance of Domestic Violence: An Ecological Analysis

Domestic violence, or spouse battering, is analyzed using a four-part theoretical framework based on the ecological model of human development. The analysis focuses on variables that cause and/or maintain domestic violence at the individual, family, social-structural, and sociocultural levels. Limitations of the model are considered, and a detailed case study of a family experiencing domestic violence is presented and discussed to illustrate the potential utility of the framework. Suggestions are offered for future research.