To Stay or to Leave: Factors Which Predict Women's Tolerance of Abusive Relationships
Cook, Melinda; Woodward, Lauren; Burraston, Bert
Abstract
This study focuses on domestic violence victimization, specifically partner abuse towards women. Domestic violence is a major problem in the United States with far reaching consequences. Some estimates have shown that nearly 2 million women in the United States are severely assaulted by their significant others each year. A major problem that researchers face is, why do these women stay? If they are in an abusive relationship, why would they not end it? There is no definitive answer presented in prior research as to why women choose to leave or to stay in abusive relationships. This study seeks to identify characteristics among abused women that allow women to end abusive relationships, so that initiatives may be taken to provide women with the skills or resources necessary to leave abusive situations when they wish to do so.