Final answer:
Domestic abusers often have behavioral characteristics like low self-esteem, which can lead them to control or assert power over others to compensate for their insecurities. Alcohol and other external factors can exacerbate this behavior, but are not primary behavioral characteristics themselves.
Step-by-step explanation:
When examining the characteristic behaviors of a domestic abuser, it is important to consider various factors that might influence such behavior. Although alcohol can be a contributing factor as supported by Greenberg & Barling (1999), the question refers more directly to personal characteristics of the abuser rather than external influences. In the context of behavioral characteristics, those with a tendency towards domestic abuse may often display low self-esteem. This in turn can lead to attempts to control or assert power over others as a means to compensate for their own feelings of inadequacy or insecurity. It's crucial to understand that while alcohol and external factors can exacerbate abusive behavior, core characteristics like low self-esteem play a significant role in the dynamics of domestic abuse.