The present study compares couples with equal levels of marital distress, similar help-seeking behavior, but differences in violence levels. Psychological profiles, histories of violence in family and peer milieus, and use of alcohol were evaluated in 42 maritally distressed couples seeking counseling. Women differed on several psychological dimensions, while men differed only in levels of alcohol abuse.With prevalence of marital violence estimated at one third for the duration of a marriage (Straus & Gelles, 1986), investigation of associated factors continues apace. Hotaling & Sugarman (1986) in their review of empirical research published between 1970 and 1984 found over 400 such studies, but reduced these to 90 on the bases of adequate control or comparison groups. Even in this reduced number, however, violent couples were typically compared with maritally nondistressed couples. This comparison has limitations, however, if the critical question is why some couples resort to violence in the face of marital conflict while others do not. It can be argued that the appropriate comparison group for violent couples is maritally distressed, nonviolent couples, rather than nondistressed couples. The present study presents an analysis of two groups of couples, nonviolent, distressed couples compared with violent, distressed couples. To further increase equivalence of groups, all couples in both groups were selected