title: Abuse during pregnancy: current theory and new contextual understandings.
abstract: This study used Landenburger's theory, a process of leaving and recovering from an abusive relationship, as a framework to interview 35 pregnant women identified as being at high risk for abuse. Results are reported on 18 women who disclosed active abuse during the study. Landenburger's model was not a good fit. Our participants became trapped and endured violent relationships if they perceived this was the best situation for their unborn child. Additionally the chaos, instability, and lack of resources experienced by these women likely contributed to their inability to complete the four phases described by Landenburger's model for non-pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri, Sinclair School of Nursing, Columbia, Missouri 65211-4120, USA. libbusk@missouri.edu
authors.forename: M Kay
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Libbus
authors.forename: Linda F C
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Bullock
authors.forename: Teak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Robrecht
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bloom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003657:Decision Making; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009732:Nursing Care; D009742:Nursing Theory; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*