The Impact of Appraisals and Context on Readiness to Leave a Relationship Following Intimate Partner Abuse

Abstract

The current longitudinal study examined the relative impact of symptoms and appraisals as well as contextual and demographic factors on women’s subsequent readiness to leave a relationship following intimate partner abuse. An ethnically diverse sample of women (N = 177) completed measures assessing posttrauma appraisals, symptoms, dependence on the perpetrator, and abuse characteristics. One year later, women reported on their readiness to leave the relationship. Regression analyses revealed that readiness to leave was (a) positively predicted by fear appraisals, (b) negatively predicted by shame appraisals, and (c) significantly associated with additional contextual factors (i.e., dependence on the perpetrator, stalking behaviors).