I would say there’s a strong correlation there.
Batterers tend to commit more crimes and have lower IQs. They tend to be more neurotic, less agreeable, less extroverted, open, and conscientious. They are more authoritarian.
Unquestioned obedience to authority defines abusers more than their attitudes toward women or wife beating. They feel little compassion for those they regard as inferior. When they treat women as inferior, sexism becomes a subpart of their authoritarianism.
Abusers are more anxious, nervous, irritable, excitable, moody, defensive, self-centered, and hasty. And they are less confident, optimistic, content, and clear-thinking.
Wife beaters are disagreeable, which equates with less forgiving, peaceable and tolerant, while more stubborn, demanding, argumentative, unstable, suspicious, and aggressive. In short, they are more likely to lash out when provoked. Is this the kind of person to run a country? Can the Taiwanese trust this rich, spoiled, evil little gobshite?
I too, heard rumours of his violence many years ago from old students who worked for the government. They told me Tai Da hospital would lock up the front doors (presumably to keep out the press) when Ms. Lien was rushed in for treatment post abuse sessions. Since they told me, I’ve watched him. I remember when he lost the last election how he grabbed his wife by the arm and stormed out after his loser’s speech. He’s a bastard, and you can see it in his eyes.