Third, attributions and distressful emotional reactions were correlated with intentions to leave the partner. Many other studies looked at the cognitive variables that can effect a woman's decision. Commitment is another variable that effects a woman's decision to leave. The study had intake interviews with women from a battered women shelter. The investment model of commitment contains satisfaction level, commitment level, alternative quality, and investment size.
Satisfaction refers to how much the individual enjoys the relationship.
Commitment refers to the individual's intentions to maintain the relationship and if they were psychologically attached and want a long-term orientation with the relationship. Alternative quality is the attractiveness and if there is an availability of alternatives to a relationship. Investment size looks at the number and magnitude of resources that were attached to the relationship. The first hypothesis proposed that feelings of commitment to an abusive relationship would be associated with limited alternatives, greater investment of resources in a relationship, and greater satisfaction. The second hypothesis predicted that the stay or leave decision would be correlated with commitment level.