There is no definite way to determine why some men batter, but there are common psychological characteristics, known as "risk markers".
The following risk markers were derived from studies comparing batterers to non-batterers.
Intrapersonal elements:
low self-esteem
fear of intimacy
high power/control needs
high levels of anger/hostility
depression
low stress tolerance
defensiveness
denial/minimization/justification of own violence
Interpersonal elements:
possessiveness/suspiciousness/jealousy of partner
poor communication with partner
guardedness in all relationships
difficulty expressing affection
verbal aggressiveness
negative attitudes toward women
Environmental elements:
violence in family of origin
alcohol/other drug abuse
un- or under-employment
child abuse (more than half of all batterers also abuse their children)
In addition, there are other risk markers that commonly go along with extreme spousal violence. A History of:
having been severely abused by parents as a child
having perpetrated severe spousal abuse
separations and divorces
using a weapon
arrests
Psychological Factors:
antisocial personality
alcohol abuse or dependency
generalized aggression
emotional volatility
high levels of dysphoria, alienation, dependency