ABSTRACT
Aversive behavior is a cardinal feature of most family problems. It is not hard to see the central role of such practices when considering the related problems of child and spouse abuse (e.g., Straus & Hotaling, 1980). However, aversive control practices are also the chief problem in nonabusive families where there is marital discord or problems with aggressive or noncompliant children. Aversive behavior is found in families where the mother is depressed, families in which there are multiply handicapped children, and families where a member is in chronic pain. Moreover, it is becoming clear that families that use aversive control practices are the crucible for later societal problems, in that children growing up in them are likely to have difficulties in work, social, and familial roles in later life (Elder, Caspi, & Downey, 1986). Thus, the control of aversive practices in families must be a fundamental goal for those interested in improving the welfare of families. Such control cannot be ignored by persons who have a primary interest in a productive society in which the costs of social dislocation are sminimized.
