title: Perceptions of factors contributing to intimate partner violence among Sri Lankan Tamil immigrant women in Canada.
abstract: In this article we explore Sri Lankan Tamil immigrant women's views on factors contributing to intimate partner violence (IPV). We conducted eight focus groups with young, midlife, and senior women and women who experienced IPV. Three main themes emerged: postmigration sources of stress and conflict, patriarchal social norms that dictated gendered behavior, and individual male attributes and behaviors. Study participants recognized gender inequality and financial dependence as contributing factors and the role of women in promoting marital harmony. Findings suggest that pre- and postmigration factors need to be considered in the prevention of IPV in newcomer communities.
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. i.hyman@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Ilene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hyman
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Sepali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guruge
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.forename: Pushpa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kanagaratnam
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manuel
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012938:Social Perception; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D018454:Spouses / Q000208:ethnology; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000208:ethnology; D013315:Stress, Psychological