U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

When Is It Enough for Me to Leave?: Black and Hispanic Women's Response to Violent Relationships

NCJ Number
231886
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 25 Issue: 7 Dated: October 2010 Pages: 669-677
Author(s)
Krim K. Lacey
Date Published
October 2010
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study explored whether the influence of socioeconomic status, relationship investment and psychological abuse operate in the same or different manner on women's decision to leave or stay in violent relationships among African-American and Hispanic women.
Abstract
Based upon a subsample from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) this article examines the role of socioeconomic status, relationship investment and psychological abuse in Black and Hispanic women's decisions to leave or stay in violent relationships. Racial and ethnic differences and similarities were found in the factors related to staying or leaving violent relationships. Black women stayed in violent relationships at a slightly higher rate than Hispanic women. Marital status, presence of other adults in the household, and psychological abuse influenced Black women's staying/leaving decision. Household income and psychological abuse were factors in whether Hispanic women remained in or exited violent relationships. Recommendations for possible interventions are discussed. Tables and references (Published Abstract)