The husband-wife relationship as reflected in the drawings of battering husbands

This study examined the spousal relationship of 19 courtordered battering husbands as reflected in drawings of themselves and their wives. Two types of drawing characteristics were assessed: (a) graphic indicators of the spousal relationship and (b) graphic indicators of violent or aggressive behavior. Results revealed that the figures drawn by battering husbands tended to be smaller and placed lower on the page relative to the female figure but, nevertheless, resembled the female figures. Male figures also possessed more indicators of violent aggressiveness than did female figures. Findings suggest that battering husbands perceive themselves as being violated by their wives.