The research focused on the impacts of the woman's familial and economic dependence on the abuser and of the severity of the abuse. The choice of these factors was guided by the feminist theory of gendered violence and the theories of cycles of violence and learned helplessness. The 375 women whose files were studied had initiated the process of obtaining a restraining order during September 1989-April 1992. Results of path analyses suggested that the more dependent the client was on the abuser, the less time she spent pursuing the restraining order. Similarly, the more severe the abuse experienced by the women, the less likely she was to persist in obtaining a restraining order. Findings highlighted some of the crucial factors that may need to be considered if intervention services are to be more effective in helping and offering protection to battered women. Tables, figure, notes, and 45 references (Author abstract modified)