Theorizing the Process of Leaving: Turning Points and Trajectories in the Stages of Change*

• Author: Jennifer L. Hardesty,Lyndal Khaw
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2007.00470.x
• Published date: 01 October 2007
• Date: 01 October 2007

Theorizing the Process of Leaving: Turning Points

and Trajectories in the Stages of Change*

Lyndal Khaw Jennifer L. Hardesty**

Abstract: The Stages of Change Model (J. O. Prochaska & C. C. DiClemente, 1984) has been used to explore

women’s process of leaving relationships involving intimate partner violence. Using a strengths-based approach, this

study aims to build upon the model to further theorize the process of leaving. We conducted secondary data analy-

sis of interviews with 19 mothers who left their abusive husbands. Turning points marked mothers’ movements

from one stage of change to another, resulting in linear and nonlinear trajectories of leaving. All turning points were

similar across cases except for the turning point between the stages of action and preparation. Consequently, 3 varia-

tions in the trajectories of leaving were found. The theoretical and practical implications for future work with

abused mothers are discussed.

Key Words: abused mothers, intimate partner violence, process of leaving, Stages of Change Model, trajectories,

turning points.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as any

acts of violence committed by one’s current or for-

mer spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend (Rennison &

Welchans, 2002). Approximately 5.3 million IPV

victimizations occur among women aged 18 years

and older, resulting in nearly 2 million injuries and

1,300 deaths every year (National Center for Injury

Prevention and Control, 2003). Research documents

the detrimental physical and mental health effects

associated with IPV for women, such as bodily

injury, chronic pain, low self-esteem, posttraumatic

stress symptoms, and even death, and for children,

a host of internalizing and externalizing problems

(Campbell & Lewandowski, 1997). Clearly, IPV is

a significant public health problem.

Earlier IPV research focused primarily on why

women stay in abusive relationships (Gelles, 1976).

Although these studies helped researchers better

understand abused women’s experiences, they were

limited in their focus on pathologies. By primarily

portraying abused women as helpless victims,

researchers overlooked women’s strengths and

agency in the context of violence. Indeed, the lack of

consideration of and attention to abuse survivors’

strengths and resources represents a gap in the exist-

ing literature (Moss, Pitula, Campbell, & Halstead,

1997). Studies on how and why women leave rela-

tionships, for example, help researchers identify

women’s strengths despite the adversities of being

abused.

Research indicates that leaving an abusive rela-

tionship is a complex process rather than a single

isolated event (Landenburger, 1989; Moss et al.,

1997). A majority of abused women do eventually

leave abusive relationships (Campbell, Miller,

Cardwell, & Belknap, 1994). Nevertheless, the pro-

cess may take years and include multiple attempts

before a woman permanently ends the abusive rela-

tionship. The current study focused on theorizing the

process of leaving among a sample of mothers who

divorced abusive husbands. Using a strengths-based

approach, we sought to build upon an existing

*This paper was presented at the National Council for Family Relations Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota (November 2006). We wish to acknowledge Ramona

F. Oswald’s helpful feedback on an earlier version of this manuscript and Grace H. Chung’s assistance with data preparation.

**Lyndal Khaw is a doctoral student in the Department of Human and Community Development at the University of Illinois, 167 Bevier Hall MC-180, 905 S.

Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 (khaw@uiuc.edu). Jennifer L. Hardesty is Assistant Professor in the Department of Human and Community Development at the

University of Illinois, 268 Bevier Hall MC-180, 905 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL (hardesty@uiuc.edu).

Family Relations, 56 (October 2007), 413–425. Blackwell Publishing.

Copyright 2007 by the National Council on Family Relations.