Wife-Battering: A theoretical construct and case report

Abstract
A theoretical construct—prostrate-detonate-dominate-ingratiate—is presented to explain the development and maintenance of wife-battering. The construct is tied to research evidence and, along with clinical observations, is used to help develop a rationale for the type of therapy deemed most likely to be effective with wife-batterers. Group marital Relationship Enhancement, a method that fits this rationale, was chosen for trial with battering husbands and their wives. A case report on this group, including follow-up, is presented.