| The study attempted to determine the importance of investment model variables in relationship-maintaining behaviors, and whether different levels of physical abuse in marital relationships differentially impact investment model variables. The study sample consisted of 89 women involved in physically abusive marriages. Results from this study indicated that investment model variables do account for relationship stay/leave decisions, and level of physical abuse does significantly contribute to physically abused married women's commitment level. The study results also support the idea that the manner in which satisfaction is operationalized significantly impacts reported relationship commitment level.; Key words. Investment model, domestic violence, physical abuse, intimate partner violence, abused women, relationship maintenance, theories of love. |
