Women's Relationship Decisions: Traditional Female Role, Dependency, Intimate Partner Violence, and Cognitive...

Women face a variety of sociocultural and individual obstacles that can trap them in violent relationships. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of cognitive distortions in women's decision-making (loyalty and exit) within their current relationships, distinguishing between those who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) and those who did not. Additionally, we examined the moderating effects of the traditional female role and the dependency between the group condition (IPV victims versus nonvictims) and cognitive distortions. Results showed that the IPV victims present higher levels of the traditional female role, dependency, cognitive distortions, and use of loyalty and exit strategies to a greater extent compared with the nonvictims. Similarly, two explanatory models were tested, revealing that women who were victims of IPV by their current partner (compared to the nonvictims group) exhibited greater cognitive distortions and, consequently, were more likely to use loyalty and exit strategies. The moderating effects of the traditional female role among the group of IPV victims and cognitive distortions were obtained. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how cognitive distortions and adherence to the traditional female role can influence women's decision-making (loyalty and exit), reinforcing the notion that they are responsible for maintaining the relationship.