Factors influencing disclosure of abuse by women of Mexican descent.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the factors that influence disclosure of abuse by women of Mexican descent. Few published studies describe the experiences of women of Mexican descent with a history of intimate partner abuse, specifically in terms of their process of disclosure of abuse.


METHODS
A qualitative research design was used to conduct this study in south Texas adjacent to the United States-Mexico border. Twenty-six key informants were recruited from two different sites. An open-ended approach with a semistructured interview guide was used to collect the narrative information from the 26 participants.


RESULTS
The findings illuminated that many factors hindered disclosure. Some of these factors included protecting their partners, avoidance of worrying their mothers, and fear of losing their children.


CONCLUSIONS
The study may help healthcare providers to understand the complexity of disclosure by women with a history of intimate partner abuse and may help explain why women do not readily disclose their abusive situations.


CONCLUSIONS
This study on the disclosure decision process of abuse by women of Mexican descent provides some understanding on the cultural or situational factors that hindered or encouraged disclosure; ultimately this knowledge can help healthcare providers and others to provide for the woman's health, welfare, and safety.
Montalvo-Liendo
Nora
N
University of Texas at Brownsville, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA. nora.montalvo@gmail.com
Wardell
Diane W
DW
Engebretson
Joan
J
Reininger
Belinda M
BM
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D018585:Battered Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003144:Communication Barriers; D008192:Deception; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D033262:Narration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012752:Shame; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas