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African American Women’s Readiness to Change Abusive Relationships

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Abstract

This study explores 178 low-income, abused African American women’s readiness to change abusive relationships and achieve safety. We explore stages of change using Prochaska and DiClemente’s transtheoretical model (TM; Precontemplation, Contemplation, Action, Preparation, and Maintenance). Results reveal that: for abused women, the stages fall along a continuum (versus discreet and linear stages); abused women are primarily in the Contemplation stage; and multiple factors (perception of current abuse, number of children in her home, symptoms of general anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], substance use, spiritual well-being, self-esteem, and social support) affect women’s total readiness to change intimate partner violence (IPV). Current IPV, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, and spirituality were positively correlated with readiness to change, and children in the home and self-esteem were negatively correlated with readiness to change. Multiple regression analysis revealed that PTSD and spiritual well-being are positive predictors of readiness to change. Findings contribute to the growing body of literature supporting the TM as applied to IPV. Results are discussed in terms of applicability to interventionists, policy makers, and community leaders as they consider the plight of abused women and their efforts towards violence-free relationships.

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Acknowledgment

This research was funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: R49 CCR421767-02, entitled Group Interventions for Abused, Suicidal African American Women, awarded to the last author (Kaslow).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Melanie J. Bliss & Nadine J. Kaslow

  2. Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Emma Ogley-Oliver

  3. University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

    Emily Jackson

  4. Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, MA, USA

    Sharon Harp

  5. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Grady Health System, Emory University School of Medicine, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive NE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA

    Nadine J. Kaslow

Authors
  1. Melanie J. Bliss
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  2. Emma Ogley-Oliver
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  3. Emily Jackson
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  4. Sharon Harp
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  5. Nadine J. Kaslow
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Correspondence to Nadine J. Kaslow.

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Bliss, M.J., Ogley-Oliver, E., Jackson, E. et al. African American Women’s Readiness to Change Abusive Relationships. J Fam Viol 23, 161–171 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-007-9138-3

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