Portuguese immigrant women's perspectives on wife abuse: a cross-generational comparison.
This descriptive study seeks to understand what first and second generation Portuguese women believe about wife abuse and what actions they believe are appropriate for an abused wife. Eighty first generation and 54 second generation women participated. The researcher read the questionnaire items aloud in one-on-one meetings. Overall, participants defined wife abuse broadly, did not approve of wife abuse, were most likely to believe that women should seek external help, and did not hold strong patriarchal beliefs. However, a number of generational differences were found. Second generation women were more likely to label an abusive behavior as abuse, and first generation women were more likely to approve of abuse, endorse indirect or traditional options to deal with wife abuse, and hold stronger patriarchal beliefs. The study's implications for research and practice within Portuguese communities are discussed.
Barata
Paula C
PC
University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
McNally
Mary Jane
MJ
Sales
Isabel M
IM
Stewart
Donna E
DE
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal / Q000208:ethnology; D012945:Social Values; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology