RAZERA, Josiane    FALCKE, Denise. Why do they stay together? Contributions for endurance in intimate relationships with violence. []. , 29, 3, pp.543-562. ISSN 0103-5665.

Conjugal violence is considered a health issue, and many couples remain in these relationships, even for long periods. The objective of this study was to investigate how spouses, in intimate relationships with the presence of violence, assessed their own relationships and which aspects led them to remain in it. The participants three couples who experienced violent episodes and had remained in the relationship for more than 5 years. The procedure involved a semi-structured interview and the application of CTS2 - Revised Conflict Tactics Scale - (Strauss, Hamby, Boney-McCoy, & Sugarman, 1996). The analysis was based in multiple case studies. The couples showed strategies of physical and psychological violence, aroused by dissension in the education of children, infidelity, alcoholism, financial issues, and others. Explained their remaining together based on the love that initially united them, and practicality of coexistence. Although couples openly mentioned episodes of violence, they found it difficult to recognize them as such, minimizing the seriousness of the phenomenon and its consequences. In addition, it was verified that the situations of violence in the families of origin of the couple contribute to the violent relationships. Abandoning these relationships may be difficult, but it is important to realize that experiencing these situations may bring negative effects on the health of the spouses, contributing to a violence cycle perpetuation.

: marriage; domestic violence; stability.

        · |     · |     · ( pdf )