Safety in Intimate Partnerships: The Role of Appraisals and Threat

Keywords

Security, Protection, Aggression, Violence, Conflict, Relationships

Abstract

For most intimate partners, safety is an important goal and basic need. How a partner perceives safety has an impact on what happens in the relationship, and this will in turn affect the responses from the other partner. Lack of safety can provoke negative emotions and actions which can lead to relationship deterioration and violence. However, little is known about this process from the insider's perspec-tive. In this study, constructivist grounded theory methods were used to analyze interviews from individuals (n037) to better understand individual appraisals of relational safety. The results include a theory that illustrates the process of relational safety and threat. This model articulates how certain relational conditions precede a perception of safety or threat, which then leads to corresponding actions. Impli-cations of the model include a focus on interaction and context when assessing for safety and abuse, as well as the importance of self regulation.

Original Publication Citation

Whiting, J. B., Smith, D. S. Oka, M. & Karakurt, G. (2012). Safety in intimate partnerships: The role of appraisals and threat. Journal of Family Violence 27(4), 313-320. doi: 10.1007/s10896-012-9423-7

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2012-4

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5044

Publisher

Journal of Family Violence

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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