title: Family Violence and Child Sexual Abuse Among South Asians in the US.
abstract: Family violence, including child sexual abuse (CSA), is a significant public health problem in the United States. It is particularly difficult to assess family violence and CSA among South Asians because it is often hidden due to cultural and familial stigma. A web-based survey was administered to a convenience sample (n = 368) of South Asian adults in the US. One-fourth (25.2 %) of the sample reported CSA; 13.8 % reported abuse involving exposure; 21.5 % reported abuse involving touching; 4.5 % reported attempted sexual intercourse; and 3.5 % reported forced sexual intercourse. Adjusted odds ratios found that participants who reported any relationship violence were significantly more likely to have experienced CSA (OR 2.28; 95 % CI 1.26-4.13); and suicide attempt was significantly associated with CSA (OR 3.96; 95 % CI 1.27-12.3). The findings presented in this formative study will assist in guiding future studies and interventions for South Asians in the United States.
authors.affiliation: College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, 1947 College Road, 325Q Stillman Hall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. robertson.227@osu.edu.
authors.forename: Hillary A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Nitasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaudhary Nagaraj
authors.affiliation: Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Amita N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Vyas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001211:Asia, Western / Q000208:ethnology; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000208:ethnology; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000208:ethnology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Child sexual abuse; Family violence; Mental health; South Asian health