College females' decisions to stay or leave an abusive relationship: a test of the investment model

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Logan Collins (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Jacquelyn W. White

Abstract: The study tested the investment model as a predictor of college women's likelihood of staying with or leaving a romantic partner. Physical and sexual abuse measures were used to determine the frequency of abuse in dating relationships. Specifically, it was hypothesized that women who have high levels of commitment will be more likely to stay in a relationship with their boyfriend than women with low levels of commitment. Furthermore it was hypothesized that physical and sexual abuse by a partner would be associated with lower commitment, thus women with an abuse history would be more likely to leave the relationship.The results suggest that abuse did not affect commitment. Women who experienced abuse were no different than women who had not experienced abuse in satisfaction, quality of alternatives or subjective norms. Women who were abused had higher levels of investment than women who had never experienced abuse. Commitment was negatively correlated with stay-leave decision. Women who scored high on commitment were more likely to stay in the relationship than women who had low commitment scores.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2011
Keywords
Abuse, Romantic relationships
Subjects
Intimate partner violence $x Prevention
Social work with women $z United States
Abused women $x Psychology

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