ABUSED WOMEN IN NEW MEXICAN SHELTERS - FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE INDEPENDENCE ON DISCHARGE

The aim of the exploratory study discussed in this article was to dist inguish between women who return to shelters and those who become inde pendent from their abusers on discharge (disposition). The women's len gth of stay in the shelters and the severity of abuse were the stronge st predictors, and suicidality and substance abuse were strongly assoc iated with disposition. The findings suggest that culturally sensitive mental health services and longer stays in shelters may foster women' s independence from their abusers.