There are five risk factors related to a possible perpetrator's immediate history of spousal violence that relate to his or her relationship with the victim specifically. If any one these factors present, they increase the statistical likelihood that the person's spouse or intimate partner could or will become a victim of violence. The first factor is if the perpetrator has a history of serious physical or sexual violence that he or she inflicted against the victim in question. The second predictive factor is that of a previous serious violent threat, violent ideation, or violent intent expressed towards the spouse or a third party, such as a police officer. The third predictive factor is that of a pattern of escalation of physical and sexual violence or threats, ideations, intent to commit acts of spousal violence. The fourth factor is that of a pattern of violations of criminal or civil court orders to leave the spouse alone that have persistently been ignored. The fifth predictive factor of violence is the expression of self-justifying attitudes about spousal assault, in other words, a refusal to accept blame, attributing blame to either the behavior of the spouse or the unfairness of the system. (Kropp, Hart, Belfrage, 2004).

             All of these factors show a pattern of violent behavior, of poor control of impulses, and the inability to understand that the violator's actions hurt others in a serious fashion. These patterns are likely to continue, despite the fact that the perpetrator and even the victim may be in a state of denial. Other factors to consider in terms of the perpetrators character that related to the perpetrator's history of psychological and social functioning, that have a statistical correlation with spousal violence include other serious criminality unrelated to spousal violence, other relationship problems in the past (including problems with parents, employers, and children), employment and/or financial problems, substance abuse and other mental disorders, such as an antisocial personality.