Aggressors against women in prison and in the community: an exploratory study of a differential profile

Abstract

The current study compares the demographic and psychopathological characteristics of 54 men, who were in prison because of a serious offence of violence against women, and of 42 violent men against women at home, who belonged to a program of community treatment. There were no significant differences in demographic variables between the two samples. However, from a psychopathological point of view, the psychiatric antecedents and current emotional instability were much more frequent and severe in aggressors within the community. Therefore two possible differential profiles among the violent men are presented. Implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are commented upon.