To Remain or to leave: factors influencing decisions of battered women after seeking help from Women Support Organizations.

Abstract

This study dealt with the decisions of Filipino women aged 15 - 59 years, to return to or permanently leave their partners after episodes of battering and abuse. The women were affiliated with selected socio-civic organizations in Metro Manila where they received social support services for at least 7 days. Group 1 was composed of 26 women who have returned to their abusive current partner at least once, after receiving services from the affiliate socio-civic organization, while Group 2 consisted of 20 women who received services from the organization but decided not to ever return to their respective partners. This study aimed to know the significant factors that influenced the women in their decisions to remain or leave the relationship.

A sequential mixed method design consisting of a survey and in-depth interviews was used in the study. The interviews were conducted with 6 selected women with notable abusive experiences. Bivariate analyses were done using Pearson Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact Test, and independent t-test whichever is appropriate. Pearsons Product-Moment Correlation was utilized to measure significant associations between or among variables.

In all study variables, no statistically significant differences were found between women who decided to remain in the relationship and women who have not ever returned to their respective partners. Significant trends, however, were indicated with regard to the relationship between women’s mental health, woman’s educational level and identity of the perpetrator on the one hand, and their decision to return or leave the partner on the other hand. Women with poor mental health tended to be more likely to return to their abusive partners. Those with higher levels of education tended to leave the relationship. Furthermore, the findings seemed to show that those women who are legally married to their husband batterer were more likely to remain in the relationship. The reasons of the battered women in making their decision were also explored. Recommendations for policy and programmatic actions as well as for future research were provided.