The effects of change in spousal power on intimate partner violence among Chinese immigrants.
This study explored how changes in power relations within couples after immigrating from more patriarchal societies contribute to intimate partner violence (IPV). Both subjective decision-making power and objective power bases were examined in Chinese immigrant couples. Batterers and nonviolent men both experienced loss of decision-making power in favor of their spouses postimmigration. For the batterers, this loss appeared materialized by lower gains in education and lack of significant gains in income compared to their spouses. However, it was subjective power loss that was related to the batterers' attitudes toward IPV. The study highlights the significance of understanding changes in power dynamics postimmigration among immigrants and the importance of distinguishing between subjective and material power to better capture power imbalance within couples.
New School University, New York, NY 10003, USA. jinx@newschool.edu
Xiaochun
X
Jin
Jane E
JE
Keat
D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012922:Social Change; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018454:Spouses / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires