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

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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.

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Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank James S. Jackson, Tyronda M. Curry, Lingling Zhang, Lindsey Villarreal Herbert, Trecia McLennon, Carolyn M. West, Chavella T. Pittman and Daniel G. Saunders for all their help with the direction and editing of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Program for Research on Black Americans, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 5062 ISR Building, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106, USA

    Krim K. Lacey

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Correspondence to Krim K. Lacey.

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Lacey, K.K. When Is It Enough for Me to Leave?:Black and Hispanic Women’s Response to Violent Relationships. J Fam Viol 25, 669–677 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-010-9326-4

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