Mediational Role of Relationship Efficacy and Resource Utilization in the Link Between Physical and Psychological Abuse and Relationship Termination

• NCJ Number: 208161
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2005 Pages: 65-88
• Author(s): Chitra Raghavan; Suzanne C. Swan; David L. Snow; Carolyn M. Mazure
• Date Published: January 2005
• Length: 24 pages
• Grant Number(s): RO1 MH52905
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the influence of physical and emotional abuse, resource use, relationship efficacy (belief in the ability to manage the intimate relationship successfully), and childhood abuse on the intimate-relationship status (together or separated) of a sample of 69 low-income, nonsheltered battered women.

Abstract

Participants completed a comprehensive set of questionnaires that included questions about mood, relationship attributions, and coping. This article describes the instruments used to measure physical abuse, psychological abuse, relationship efficacy, the use of various types of resources, and childhood physical and sexual abuse. About half the women (56.5 percent) were currently in an abusive relationship, and the remainder had recently terminated an abusive relationship. All participants reported experiencing some form of psychological abuse. The study examined bivariate correlations between variables, and two path models tested multiple paths simultaneously along with mediation effects. Overall, the findings suggest that both physical and psychological abuse, but particularly psychological abuse, are related to relationship termination. The findings also indicate that the mechanisms that influence women's decision to leave a relationship differ, depending on the type of abuse being experienced. The more a women had been abused as a child, the less likely she was to leave an abusive relationship; however, childhood abuse was not associated with adult physical abuse, as was predicted. Interventions to assist battered women in coping with and managing an abusive relationship might be tailored to the length of time of the abuse, the type of abuse experienced, and whether the woman desires to separate from or maintain the relationship. The aim should be to promote the use of a wider range of resources while taking into account safety planning. 2 figures, 2 tables, and 45 references