Citation

Zoellner LA, Feeny NC, Alvarez J, Watlington C, O'Neill ML, Zager R, Foa EB. J. Interpers. Violence 2000; 15(10): 1081-1099.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/088626000015010005

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Thousands of women each year initiate the process of obtaining a restraining order against a violent partner. Although many women request an emergency restraining order, many fail to return to obtain a final 1-year order. The present study examined factors associated with completion of this process. Sixty-five women who initiated the process of securing a restraining order against a male partner participated in the study. Participants completed an interview, self-report measures, and were followed up to determine final restraining order status. Less than half of the women who initiated the process obtained final orders. Women who indicated an attachment to the abusive partner were less likely to complete the process. Perceived threat to the women facilitated persistence with the process; however, when the threat involved her children, women were less likely to persist. Understanding factors influencing persistence in help seeking, especially attachment and threat, is a crucial step toward enhancing interventions to facilitate efforts toward violence-free lives.