Physical Wife Abuse in a Non-Western Society: An Integrated Theoretical Approach

Abstract

The current study uses survey data from a representative sample of 619 husbands residing in Bangkok, Thailand, to assess their use of physical force against their wives. Multivariate analyses are performed and a series of logistic regressions are estimated for an integrated theoretical model derived from resource, structural, and social psychological theories. The results provide strong support for the importance of socioeconomic status, marital instability, and verbal marital conflict as predictors of Thai wife abuse.