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Abstract
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This study examined the predictors of domestic violence within a sample of 60 immigrant Latinas, of whom 30 had sought assistance for abuse and 30 had sought other family services. Hypotheses were derived from several frameworks relevant to understanding abuse--intrapsychic (learned helplessness), interpersonal (family violence), and feminist theory. Findings related to the specific formulations were subsequently combined into a model of abuse in which the mutuality of communication within the couple mediates the effects of husband's intoxication and environmental stressors on the occurrence/severity of abuse. The study points out the inadequacy of relying on any one existing theory and supports the idea of taking an ecological approach to the study of abuse in specific populations.
VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study by Perilla et al. was to examine the causes of domestic abuse for Latinas. The authors developed and tested an explanation designed to explain domestic abuse within the Latino community.
METHODOLOGY:
The authors employed a quasi-experimental design in this study. More specifically, the authors interviewed 60 immigrant female Latinas living in a southeastern metropolitan area who had enrolled in various Catholic hospital programs. The experimental group consisted of 30 women who had sought assistance in the domestic abuse program. The control group consisted of 30 women who had sought assistance in other programs. The control group was matched, albeit not one-to-one, with the experimental group for age and background. The subjects were interviewed using a semi-structured, open ended questionnaire.
The authors hypothesized that a) depression would increase and self esteem would decrease abuse, b) acculturation would mediate the effects of depression and self esteem, c) dependency would increase abuse, d) stress, family income, as well as household composition would be significantly associated with abuse, e) acculturation would moderate the effects of stress, family income, and household composition, and f) mutuality would negatively affect abuse and drunkenness and traditional gender roles would positively affect abuse.
The authors operationalized a number of different variables. The questionnaires first asked for basic personal and demographic information. Partners drinking habits were measured by the frequency of intoxication. Eight standardized instruments were also used. Physical and non-physical abuse was measured by the ISA index of spouse abuse. The scores were weighted to account for severity. Acculturation was measured by the Bicultural Involvement Questionnaire. However, only two subscales, i.e., English Language and Anglo Enjoyment, were used in the analysis. Stress was measured by the Hispanic Stress Inventory. Mutuality was measured using the Mutual Psychological Development Questionnaire. The mean score was used in the analysis. Depression was measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Self Esteem was measured by the Self Esteem Scale. Each instrument was translated into the Spanish language. Translations were meticulously checked for accuracy. The authors tested the reliability of each subscale in every instrument. Cronbach's Alpha scores ranged from .60 to .93. The authors reported that reliability tests showed the fewer the items in the index the lower the alpha score. Standard OLS regression techniques were used to analyze the data.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The authors first compared the mean values of the independent variables for the target and the control group. Results showed that the women in the target group had significantly more abuse, more stress, lower self esteem, and lower mutuality.
Next, the authors examined their hypotheses using multiple regression techniques. Depression was found to be significantly and positively associated with abuse. Self esteem was found to be significantly and negatively associated with abuse. However, results showed that acculturation did not mediate either of these effects. Contrary to their third hypothesis, the authors found that dependency, i.e., contribution to family income, was significantly but positively associated with abuse. With regard to their fourth hypothesis, results showed that stress was significantly and positively associated with abuse. Family income and household composition, however, were not. Moreover, they found that acculturation did not mediate the effect of stress. And lastly, the authors found that partners drinking was significantly and positively associated with abuse and mutuality was significantly and negatively associated with abuse. However, traditional gender roles had no effect on abuse.
The authors initially hypothesized that acculturation would act as a mediator. Results showed this was not the case. The authors then explored the relationships between stress, partner's drinking habits, and mutuality to identify any mediating effects. After estimating a path model the authors concluded that mutuality mediates the effects of stress and intoxication on abuse.
AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS:
The authors made several recommendations for future research and theorizing. First, the authors recommended that a theory domestic abuse in the Latino community needs further attention. More specifically, they suggested that further research be conducted on the effects of drug/alcohol abuse and mutuality on domestic abuse in the Latino community and further theorizing focus on the environment and dynamics of Latino families. In order to do this, the authors suggested that further development of acculturation instruments continue. Lastly, the authors suggested that attention be focused not only on Latina female victims, but on the Latino males that victimize them.
EVALUATION:
The authors attempt to develop and test a theory of domestic abuse specific to Latino culture is a laudable one. While some may argue that a theory specific to the Latino community would be less valuable than a general theory of domestic abuse, the authors succeed in pointing to the importance of cultural context as a relevant explanatory variable. However, such research may benefit from the use of non-Latino comparison groups. This would enable researchers to better address the question of cultural context. This, aside from the small sample, is one of the biggest weaknesses of this study. However, the authors make a necessary, and quite impressive, first step toward our more complete understanding of spouse abuse in the Latino community.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
Domestic Violence Causes
Domestic Violence Victim
Family Ideology
Hispanic Violence
Hispanicd Female
Hispanic Victim
Female Victim
Female Victim
Spouse Abuse Causes
Spouse Abuse Victim
Adult Female
Adult Victim
Partner Violence
Violence Against Women
Ecological Factors
Sociocultural Factors
Family Environment
Environmental Factors
Language: en |