title: A qualitative analysis of college women's leaving processes in abusive relationships.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed the process of leaving an abusive dating relationship utilizing a qualitative design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants included 123 college women in abusive dating relationships who participated at the beginning and end of a 10-week academic quarter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Qualitative content analyses were used to analyze the transcribed responses to an open-ended question about women's leaving processes over the interim period. A variety of categories and themes emerged for women in different stages of the leaving process, consistent with the Transtheoretical Model of Change and Investment Model. Data also underscored women's lack of acknowledgment, minimization, and normalization of abuse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data demonstrate the importance of dating violence intervention and prevention programming on college campuses and offer information that may be useful to college health providers who assist women in abusive dating relationships.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA. Katie.Edwards@unh.edu
authors.forename: Katie M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Megan J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Erin C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Tansill
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Myrick
authors.forename: Danielle R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Corsa
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gidycz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult