| Summary: | A study was conducted to investigate the nature and dynamics of gay male intimate
abuse in a self-selected sample of 52 couples. Three empirical questions were posed:
1) What is the frequency of physical abuse in this sample as compared to heterosexual
norms? 2) Does psychological abuse vary as a function of relationship power style? 3)
What is the relationship between the Abusive Personality Structure ( Dutton, 1994) and
psychological abuse? Physical abuse rates in the gay sample were found to be higher
than heterosexual norms, a result discussed primarily in terms of differential access
gay men have to social support. Psychological abuse was significantly higher in
relationships characterized by divided power, a finding interpreted in terms of the
ambiguity gay men face in defining relationship roles. It is suggested that good
verbal/negotiating skills are especially necessary in these relationships for an adequate
expression of interpersonal power needs. Finally, a relationship between psychological
abuse and the Abusive Personality Structure was clearly observed in this sample,
consistent with Dutton and Starzomski's (1993) work with both heterosexual wife
batterers and heterosexual men not formally identified as assaultive (Dutton, 1994).
General conclusions are drawn regarding the transcendence of intimate abuse across
lines of sexual orientation, and limitations are discussed.
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