South Asian women in the U.S. and their experience of domestic violence

This study examined the extent of domestic violence and sociocultural factors (isolation, social support, acculturation, and patriarchy) associated with domestic violence among a community sample of 215 women of South Asian origin in the U.S. The sample is the largest to date in a study of domestic violence among South Asian women. Both paper and Web surveys were used. Of the sample, 38% experienced some form of abuse in the past year. Isolation from spouse/partner and perceived social support predicted abuse. This information is vital in developing effective and culturally appropriate intervention methods for South Asian women victims of domestic violence. Keywords Social support * Isolation * Partner abuse * Psychological maltreatment * Intimate partner violence
South Asian communities in the U.S. include immigrants from countries including Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, with the majority being from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh (Barnes and Bennett 2002; Rudrappa [...]