African American Women's Readiness to Change Abusive Relationships

• NCJ Number: 221935
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: April 2008 Pages: 161-171
• Author(s): Melanie J. Bliss; Emma Ogley-Oliver; Emily Jackson; Sharon Harp; Nadine J. Kaslow
• Date Published: April 2008
• Length: 11 pages
• Grant Number(s): R49 CCR421767-02
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health & Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using Prochaska and DiClemente's Transtheoretical Model (TM), this study examined the readiness of 178 low-income, African-American women victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) to initiate a change in the status of the abusive relationship in order to prevent further victimization.

Abstract

With reference to the TM's stages of readiness to change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance), the women in the current sample were predominantly in the contemplation stage. This may be attributed in part to their perception of IPV and willingness to identify themselves as abused. Multiple factors contributed to the women's readiness to initiate change in the status of their abusive relationship, including whether or not they perceived their relationship as abusive, had children living with them, had symptoms of anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, spiritual well-being, self-esteem, and social support. Of these variables, PTSD symptoms and spiritual well-being were particularly powerful predictors of the women's readiness to change. Apparently, women who had a stronger reliance on faith and trust in a higher being had increased motivation, resources, or energy focused on securing safety for themselves and their children. The authors propose a patient-centered focus in intervention that matches their stage of readiness for change. Participants (n=178) were recruited from a large, public, urban, university-affiliated hospital in the Southeastern United States. The hospital served an indigent and minority population. The sample was composed of African-American women, ages 18-55, who were seeking medical or psychiatric care and who reported experiencing IPV within the past year. Data were obtained on demographics, stages of change, the abusive relationship, general anxiety, PTSD symptoms, substance abuse, spiritual well-being, self-esteem, and social support. 3 tables and 67 references