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Stay or Leave Abusive Dating Relationships: Portuguese Victims’ Reasons and Barriers

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  • Sónia Caridade

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Permanent Observatory Violence and Crime (OPVC), University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Interdisciplinary Center for Gender Studies (CIEG), Higher Institute of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lisbon (ISCSP-UL), 1300-663 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Inês Pinheiro

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis

    (Permanent Observatory Violence and Crime (OPVC), University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Faculty of Science and Technology, University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit (FP-ENAS), University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

The decision to stay or leave an abusive relationship is multifactorial and frequently involves a cyclic process involving several phases. This article presents a qualitative analysis regarding the reasons and barriers to stay or leave an abusive dating relationship, as well as the challenges that it implies. A semi-structured, in-depth interview was used to collect data from thirteen dating victims, aged 17–30 years and mainly female ( n = 12). The emotional and affective dependence of the partner and the belief that behaviour may change emerge as the main reasons presented by the victims to remain in an abusive relationship. Shame, fear of losing the partner, and failure to recognize the abusive relationship were reported as the main barriers to leave the abusive relationship, thus making it difficult to seek help. Understanding reasons to stay in, or barriers to leave, an abusive relationship is fundamental to promoting help-seeking behaviours in victims of dating violence (DV), particularly in the case of young people, since it has serious implications in the developmental pathway of this age group.

Suggested Citation

  • Sónia Caridade & Inês Pinheiro & Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis, 2020. "Stay or Leave Abusive Dating Relationships: Portuguese Victims’ Reasons and Barriers," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:9:y:2020:i:5:p:84-:d:358617
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rueda, Heidi Adams & Williams, Lela Rankin & Nagoshi, Julie L., 2015. "Help-seeking and help-offering for teen dating violence among acculturating Mexican American adolescents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 219-228.
    2. Romito, Patrizia & Grassi, Michele, 2007. "Does violence affect one gender more than the other? The mental health impact of violence among male and female university students," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(6), pages 1222-1234, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marifa Salceda & Ana Vidu & Adriana Aubert & Esther Roca, 2020. "Dialogic Feminist Gatherings : Impact of the Preventive Socialization of Gender-Based Violence on Adolescent Girls in Out-of-Home Care," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-16, August.

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