Perpetrators of intimate partner violence

This chapter provides the reader with a critical overview of the intimate partner violence (IPV) literature that highlights discrepancies in theoretical explanations of IPV and empirical research methodology and findings derived from these theories. It considers the merits of responding to this societal problem from a psychological perspective, and understanding the role of individual factors in its etiology. Recognition of the magnitude of public health issue has resulted in many societal efforts to prevent and reduce it including the development of laws, policies, specific services, and assessment and intervention strategies with both victims and perpetrators. Theoretical frameworks allow professionals to understand the nature of a problem which implicitly suggests the course of action that should be taken to eliminate it. Therefore, the theoretical stance taken is of important issue as it impacts greatly on how the problem is perceived and responded to by professionals and society as a whole.