Risk factors are characteristics associated with an increased likelihood that problem behaviour will occur. It is important to note that the presence of a risk factor does not mean that the behaviour will necessarily occur, only that the odds of it occurring are greater. Numerous studies have examined risk factors associated with intimate partner violence. Results from these studies show that unmarried, cohabiting couples have higher rates of intimate partner violence than do married couples; minorities have higher rates of intimate partner violence than do whites; lower-income women have higher rates of intimate partner violence than do higher-income women; less educated women have higher rates of intimate partner violence than do more educated women; and couples with income, educational, or occupational status disparities have higher rates of intimate partner violence than do couples with no status disparity. Research also shows that experiencing and/or witnessing violence in one’s family of origin increases one’s chances of being a perpetrator or victim of intimate partner violence.  In addition, research shows that wife assault is more common in families where power is concentrated in the hands of the husband or male partner and the husband makes most of the decisions regarding family finances and strictly controls when and where his wife or female partner goes. Finally, research suggests that persons with a disability are at greater risk of violence, although there is no empirical evidence that having a disability increases one’s risk of intimate partner violence.