The Abusive Personality: Violence and Control in Intimate Relationships, Second Edition

This influential book offers an innovative framework for understanding and treating intimate partner violence. By integrating a variety of theoretical and empirical perspectives, Donald J. Dutton demonstrates that male abuse is not simply a learned behavioral pattern, but rather the product of a particular personality makeup. He sheds light on the development of the abusive personality from early childhood to adulthood and offers an evidence-based therapeutic approach designed to meet the unique needs of this population. The second edition includes two new chapters on the neurobiological roots of abusive behavior and the development of offending in females.

Reviewer: Susan Richardson, MA, Psychologist (Private Practice)

Description: This book describes recent research on understanding and treating perpetrators of violence in intimate relationships. The first edition was published in late 2002.

Purpose: The book seeks to explore the abusive personality through psychological and neurobiological developmental trajectories, reviewing both theories and research data.

Audience: This book is intended for clinical professionals working with these types of abusers or their families. It is also suitable for graduate study in personality and interpersonal relationships. The author has conducted extensive research with this group of abusers and reviews research by others from early discussions on the subject.

Features: The book covers the essential areas for understanding, diagnosing, and treating this type of abuser. The author begins by pointing out that nothing was written on the subject of domestic violence until the 1970s, and then presents all the relevant research and theory since then. The chapters cover theory, the cycle of violence, understanding the origins of anger, and finally, treatment of this type of abuse. Although the book is not comprehensive, it is undoubtedly a masterful presentation of a somewhat neglected topic. Some readers may disagree with the theoretical focus on object relationships, but this perspective is well supported by research.

Evaluation: This book is well-written and well-researched, providing insight into an area that has recently become a focus of clinical interest. The second edition sheds light on some of the neurobiological underpinnings of this disorder and discusses female abusers based on recent research.