A conceptual approach to understanding abused women's stay/leave decisions

This article critically examines four theoretical approaches identified by Strube (1988) as relevant to abused women's stay/leave decision-making processes. It is argued that these four approaches have overlapping components that may be combined into a single framework for understanding abused women's stay/leave decisions. The essential aspects of abused women's stay/leave decisions appear to revolve around two central questions: ''Will I be better off?'' and ''Can I do it?'' This model proposes that abused women's stay/leave decisions occur in a stepwise fashion. A woman may wish to leave her relationship but be inhibited from doing so because she does not feel she has control over her circumstances. Conversely, a woman may have the necessary resources for leaving but may wish to remain in the relationship. Empirical work in the fields of marital and dating violence is reviewed and provides preliminary support for the components of this two-step model of abused women's stay/leave decisions.