Personality characteristics of Chinese male batterers: An exploratory study of women's reports from a refuge sample of battered women in Hong Kong

Abstract

This study examined the personality characteristics of Chinese male batterers in a cohort of 210 Chinese battered women drawn from a refuge in Hong Kong. Participants were interviewed using a standard questionnaire to examine the prevalence and incidence of violence they experienced. The incidence of battering in the preceding year was compared against the characteristics of male batterers using independent t tests. Logistic regression was preformed with the personality characteristics and battering. The results showed that a number of personality characteristics, in particular poor anger management and approval of the use of violence, were more frequent among batterers who were physically assaultive toward their partners. The findings of this study suggested the possibility of an association between child abuse and battering. The results have important implications for interventions with batterers in terms of the assessment and provision of batterer intervention programs. © SAGE Publications, Inc. 2008.