University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2003 The role of hopelessness depression in women's decision to leave a violent relationship Heather N. Paluso The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Paluso, Heather N., "The role of hopelessness depression in women's decision to leave a violent relationship" (2003). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 9476. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/9476 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Maureen and Mike MANSFIELD LIBRARY The University of Montana Permission is granted by the author to reproduce this material in its entirety, provided that this material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cited in published works and reports. **Please check "Yes" or "No" and provide signature** Yes, I grant permission No, I do not grant permission Author's Signature: Clfls Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken only with the author's explicit consent. 8/98 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Running head: HOPELESSNESS DEPRESSION AND THE STAY-LEAVE DECISION The Role of Hopelessness Depression in Women’s Decision to Leave a Violent Relationship Heather N. Paluso, M.A. B.A. University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 1996 M.A. University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 1999 Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Montana August 2003 Approved by: Christine Fiore, Ph.D. air, Docto: mittee Dean, Graduate School Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3097821 Copyright 2003 by Paluso, Heather Nicole All rights reserved. ® UMI UMI Microform 3097821 Copyright 2003 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Paluso, Heather N., Ph.D. September 2003 Psychology The Role of Hopelessness Depression in Women’s Decision to Leave a Violent Relationship Director: Christine Fiore, Ph.D. Of The purpose of this study was to contribute to our understanding of how stage of change, social support, and hopelessness depression influence women’s decision to leave a violent relationship. There is strong evidence that traumatic experiences, such as domestic violence, play a large role in the etiology of depression. Specifically, the Hopelessness model of depression suggests that the experience of hopelessness results in the development of this particular subtype of depression (Abramson, Metalsky, and Alloy, 1989). Also, social support has been found to be one of the strongest predictors of depression and appears to have an important influence on the development of depression (Campbell, 1996). The Transtheoretical model proposes that a woman’s decision to leave her relationship will involve movement from the stage of precontemplation through action, into maintenance. Participants were a community sample of 100 women who experienced severe physical violence in a current or past romantic relationship. Participants completed an individual interview and series of questionnaires that assessed variables related to demographic information, severity of violence, stage of change, social support, and depression. The results of multiple regression analyses indicate that stage of change, social support, severity of violence, length of relationship, and number of previous violent relationships significantly predict hopelesness depression. Further, social support was found to moderate the relationship between stage of change and hopelessness depression. An additional multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the HDSQ and BDI significantly predict stage of change. The results of this study expand our knowledge base in a previously unexplored area in the field of domestic violence. The findings provide support for addressing hopelessness depression in women as they negotiate the decision-making process. The results of this study have clinical implications for those developing treatment interventions with battered women. ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgements I would like to thank my advisor,Christine Fiore, Ph.D., for her support and contribution to my work on this project and my development throughout my graduate career. I would like to thank my dissertation committee, Jennifer Waltz, Ph.D., John Klocek, Ph.D., Cheryl Vandenburg, Ph.D., and Steve Yoshimura, Ph.D. for their support and encouragment. I would also like to thank the research assistants who devoted their time and energy on this project. I would like to thank the courageous women who came forward to share their stories as participants in this project. This project was completed on my internship year at River Valley Services and I would like to thank my training director, David Zita, Ph.D., for keeping my “eye on the prize” and contributing significantly to my development into my professional role. I would like to thank my family and friends who have supported me through the graduate school process and the completion of my dissertation. Finally, I would like to thank my boyfriend, Dave, for his love and support during the completion of this project. iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table of Contents Abstract.................... ..................................................................................ii List of Tables .............................................................. .. ...............vii List of Figures................................................. ........................................... ix Chapter One: Introduction ..................................... ....................................... 1 Domestic Violence Statistics and Background ........................................ 3 Etiology of Depression ............................ 4 PsychosocialFactors ....................................................... 4 Biological theories................................................................................. 5 Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis .....................................................5 Interpersonal Model .............................................. 6 Cognitive Theories .............. ................................................ .7 Hopelessness Model ................................................. 8 Hopelessness Depression and Battered Women ..................................... 14 Comorbidity of Depression and PTSD ...................................................... 19 Depression, Chronic Stress, and Coping ..................................................22 Social Support, Domestic Violence, and Depression ................................24 Transtheoretical Model of Change .............................................................29 Self-Efficacy.................................... .34 Stay-Leave Decision ........................................................... 36 iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Purpose of the Present Study .......... .......................................... 37 Summary of Hypotheses .............................................................. 38 Chapter Two: Method .......................... 40 Participants ..................................................................................................40 Procedures ...................................................................................................41 Measures .................... 42 Interview ..................................................................................................42 Demographic Questionnaire ................................................................... 42 Forced-choice Stage of Change ............................................................. 42 URIC A for Battered Women ................................................................... 43 Conflict Tactics Scale .............................................................................. 43 Trauma Symptom Checklist .................................................................... 43 Hopelessness Depression Symptom Inventory ....................................... 44 Beck Depression Inventory ..................................................................... 45 Social Support Questionnaire ............ ...........................................45 Chapter Three: Results .................. 46 Demographics ...............................................................