Assessment of assertion and problem-solving skills in wife abusers and their spouses

Author(s)

R. L. Morrison
Vincent B. Van Hasselt, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
A. S. Bellack

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1987

Publication Title

Journal of Family Violence

Volume

2

First Page

227

ISSN

0885-7482

Last Page

238

Abstract/Excerpt

The present study provided an assessment of assertion and problem solving skills in couples characterized by wife abuse. A role play test and problem solving interaction task were administered to couples who were (a) physically abusive, (b) maritally discordant but nonviolent, and (c) satisfactorily married. Results indicated that members of abusive dyads exhibited deficits on selected behavioral components of assertion. However, few differences were observed between these dyads and the maritally discordant, nonviolent condition. Findings are discussed in terms of (1) the need for further evaluation of interpersonal skill variables in physically abusive males, (2) issues in selection of measures and subjects, and (3) the need to consider the possible interactive effects of multiple factors in family violence research.

NSUWorks Citation

Morrison, R. L., Van Hasselt, V. B., Bellack, A. S. (1987). Assessment of assertion and problem-solving skills in wife abusers and their spouses. Journal of Family Violence, 2, 227-238.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/1222