title: Coercive control and abused women's decisions about their pets when seeking shelter.
abstract: The importance of pets in families, especially during major life stressors, is well documented. Research suggests links between pet ownership and intimate partner violence (IPV). This study explored abused women's decisions about pets when seeking help from a shelter. Interviews were conducted with 19 women who were pet owners. Using grounded theory methods, two patterns emerged surrounding abusers' treatment of pets, bonds to pets, women's decisions about pets upon seeking shelter, and future plans for pets. The presence of coercive control was central to these patterns. Women also discussed their experiences with and needs from shelter professionals and veterinarians with implications for practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. hardesty@illinois.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hardesty
authors.forename: Lyndal
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Khaw
authors.forename: Marcella D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ridgway
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D003068:Coercion; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D057805:Pets; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: coercive control; domestic violence shelters; intimate partner violence; pets; veterinary care