Citation

Khaw LBL, Hardesty JL. J. Fam. Theory Rev. 2009; 1(1): 38-53.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, National Council on Family Relations, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1756-2589.2009.00004.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The Stages of Change Model has helped researchers and practitioners explore the process of leaving an abusive partner, but it does not account for the changes in relational boundaries unique to this process. In this paper, we integrate the concept of boundary ambiguity into the Stages of Change Model to explore potential sources of boundary ambiguity in the process of leaving. We theorize that Boss’s two types of boundary ambiguity may be present at different points of the leaving process and are perceptual barriers to leaving permanently. We also theorize that potential sources of boundary ambiguity emerge from women and their partners’ decisions and actions in the process of leaving. Implications and future directions for research and practice are discussed.