Spousal violence among Anglos, Blacks, and Mexican Americans: the role of demographic variables, psychosocial predictors, and alcohol consumption

Investigates racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence & correlates of self-reported spousal violence in a community sample of Anglo, black, & Mexican-American adults in San Antonio, TX (total N = 1,784). Interview data indicate that females, the formerly married, & black females in particular (up to 60% of formerly married) were most likely to report both being beaten by & beating a spouse. Multivariate analyses controlling for demographic variables, financial stress, social desirability, sex role traditionalism, & drinking quantity (& spouse's drinking among the currently married) did not eliminate the greater likelihood of reports of both beating & being beaten among married black females. There was little consistent evidence to suggest greater violence propensity among Mexican-American than Anglo respondents. Findings challenge simplistic socioeconomic status or financial stress explanations of observed racial/ethnic differences in spousal violence. Further, curvilinear effects of alcohol quantity & spouse drinking on reported violence question simple "disinhibition" arguments & suggest the need for data regarding couple dynamics. 3 Tables, 27 References. Adapted from the source document.