PREDICTING MILD AND SEVERE HUSBAND-TO-WIFE PHYSICAL AGGRESSION

Nonordered multinomial logistic models were used to estimate the odds of mild and severe husband-to-wife physical aggression in 11,870 White men. Being younger, having a lower income, and having an alcohol problem significantly increased the odds of either mild or severe physical aggression. A drug problem uniquely increased the risk of severe physical aggression. Marital discord and depressive symptomatology, but not work stress, further increased the odds of both mild and severe physical aggression, with marital discord being the most influential psychological variable. Compared with mildly physically aggressive men, those who were severely physically aggressive earned lower income, were more likely to report an alcohol or a drug problem, and had more marital discord and depressive symptomatology.