Exploring Mexican-Origin Intimate Partner Abuse Survivors' Help-Seeking Within Their Sociocultural Contexts

Authors: Brabeck, Kalina M.; Guzmán, Michele R.

Source: Violence and Victims, Volume 24, Number 6, 2009 , pp. 817-832(16)

Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

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Abstract:

Women's responses to partner abuse are shaped by their particular sociocultural contexts. In this study, quantitative data were collected from 75 Mexican-origin women who survived intimate partner abuse, to identify variables associated with help-seeking to survive relationship abuse. Help-seeking was defined as use of formal (e.g., shelter) and informal (e.g., family) sources. Variables included two cultural variables: machismo (i.e., adherence to traditional gender roles) and familismo (i.e., valuing family cohesion and reciprocity), and four sociostructural variables: income, education, English proficiency, and immigrant status. Results indicated participants with higher levels of familismo sought informal help more frequently than those with lower levels. Women with grade school education, no English proficiency, and undocumented status sought formal help less frequently than those not constrained by these barriers.

Keywords: MEXICAN-ORIGIN; SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS; HELP-SEEKING; INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.24.6.817

Publication date: 2009-11-01

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Violence and Victims discusses theory, research, policy, and clinical practice in the area of interpersonal violence and victimization across such disciplines as psychology, sociology, criminology, law, medicine, nursing, psychiatry, and social work.
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