Spouse Abuse

Abstract

Abstract Spouse abuse (or interspousal violence) is defined as the use of physical force in intimate relationships among adults. Battering is defined as a syndrome of control and increasing entrapment attendant upon spouse abuse and characterized by a history of injury, general medical complaints, isolation, stress-related psychosocial problems, and unsuccessful help-seeking. Among the most commonly reported psychosocial problems linked to battering are rape, substance abuse, attempted suicide, depression, and child abuse. Either partner or both may be abused. To date, however, the syndrome of entrapment associated with battering has been identified as a problem only among women.