Domestic violence in the Chinese and South Asian immigrant communities.
Although the Chinese and South Asian immigrant populations are largely silent on this issue, domestic violence is a fact of life in many families. In this article, we discuss cultural factors that may cause and prolong abuse in Asian immigrant homes, and review similarities and differences between the two Asian cultures in this regard. This article also addresses the psychological trauma experienced by abused Asian immigrant women and the coping strategies that they are likely to employ. Culturally sensitive intervention strategies are presented that may be appropriately used in working with Chinese and South Asian immigrant women for whom abuse is a terrifying and demeaning fact of life.
Midlarsky
Elizabeth
E
Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 W. 120th St., Box 148, New York, NY 10027-6696, USA. em142@columbia.edu
Venkataramani-Kothari
Anitha
A
Plante
Maura
M
D000328:Adult; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000208:ethnology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012945:Social Values; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D014933:Women's Rights