The battered woman syndrome.

Six hundred twenty adult woman volunteers and 30 acutely battered adult women were studied during a 10-week period to establish criteria for diagnosis, define therapy, and conceptualize a theoreical model of the battered woman syndrome. The volunteer group indicated that 35% of those with ongoing relationships have histories of battery. Psychiatric history in either partner, parental divorce and battery, alcohol usage, psychiatric history and significant criminal history, among the victims; and divorce, marriage counseling, and psychiatric history among the women were identified as significant correlates with a battery. A survey of historical and physical findings and a review of current literature are included.