Cognitive-affective predictors of women's readiness to end domestic violence relationships.

Full Abstract

A model of women's readiness to terminate an abusive relationship was examined, using cognitive and emotional factors to predict readiness to change as conceptualized in the transtheoretical model. Factors previously identified in the domestic violence literature were selected to represent cognitive predictors (attribution and attachment style) and affective predictors (depression, hopelessness, anxiety, and anger) of readiness to end a domestic violence relationship. Responses by 85 female victims of intimate partner violence indicated that their overall readiness to terminate a relationship was predicted by a preoccupied attachment style and high emotional arousal. However, women's low level of anger predicted their precontemplation of change, the earliest stage of readiness, whereas internalizing emotional difficulties and preoccupation with their batterer predicted maintenance, the final stage of readiness to persist in their decision to leave their abuser. Implications of these findings for working with women considering leaving their partner are discussed.

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Author information

Author/s: Shurman, Lauren A (LA); Rodriguez, Christina M (CM);

Affiliation: University of Utah, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of interpersonal violence (J Interpers Violence), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Nov; vol 21 (issue 11) : pp 1417-39

Dates: Created 2006/10/23; Completed 2007/01/19;

PMID: 17057160, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Anger
Anxiety - psychology
Cognition
Depression - psychology
Female
Humans

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