The sample included 59 undergraduate black or white, never married females who defined themselves as past victims in a violent relationship, had ended the relationship at least partly due to the partner's violence, and were not cohabiting at the time of the violence. The findings indicate that the degree of a woman's masculinity had little effect on her response to relationship violence; although qualities of independence, self-control, and assertiveness may provide strength, the manner in which that strength is manifested is not predictable. Sex role attitudes were related to a woman's response; the more modern her attitudes, the less time she remained in the violent relationship. However, for women who did remain in the relationship past the first incident, the power of victimization appeared to override her sex role attitudes. Cognitive dissonance may be resolved by rationalizing her emotions and commitment to the relationship. This study used two covariates -- extent of love for the violent partner and length of the relationship before the first violent occurrence. In distinguishing between the occurrence of violence and the response to violence and examining the two sex role variables in a multivariate framework, this study makes a methodological contribution to the research on relationship violence. 2 tables, 1 figure, 22 references. (Publisher abstract modified)