Women's use of resources in leaving abusive relationships: a naturalistic inquiry.

Studies have considered the experiences of women in terminating abusive relationships. However, the personal strengths and internal resources women use to assist them in terminating have not been studied. The purpose of this naturalistic inquiry was to explore what personal strengths and inner resources contributed to (1) the actual making of women's decision to terminate the abusive relationship, and (2) their ability to successfully follow through with this decision. Themes of turning point, realization, reframing, agency, and self-efficacy emerged from the study. The results suggest a process, although the steps were not sequential and were repeated numerous times before the women were finally successful in leaving. Based on results of this study, implications for intervention include the promoting of cognitive approaches such as reframing and self-talk to facilitate the process of leaving.