Citation

Stork E. J. Fem. Fam. Ther. 2008; 20(4): 299-327.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08952830802382128

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Violent events, options considered, commitment influences on the generation of options, and decisions to stay or leave for shelter were extracted from interview transcripts of 25 women living in a shelter. The purpose was to create a graphic representation of the model of the decision to seek shelter from intimate partner violence (IPV). Sequential decision problem models were constructed to illuminate the complexity of such a high-stakes, poorly structured decision involving conflicting goals and time pressure. The sequential structure of this behavioral decision problem is significant, partially explaining the many violent episodes and multiple attempts to leave that many abused women experience.