Life stressors and husband-to-wife violence

The current review critically evaluates the research conducted on the relationship between life stressors, and husband-to-wife violence. Empirical work suggests that there may be multiple pathways accounting for the relationship between life stressors and husband-to-wife violence. Contrary to previous reviews of the literature, we found that the existing evidence supports a direct association between life stressors and husband-to-wife violence. In addition, a number of variables mediate and moderate the relationship between life stressors and violence including marital satisfaction, depression, attitudes accepting of husband-to-wife violence, violence in the family of origin, and alcohol abuse/dependence. In order to assist investigators interested in conducting research in this area, we conclude this review by identifying remaining problems in the research and recommending possible solutions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.