Family Closeness and Domestic Abuse Among Caribbean and South American Women in South Florida

• NCJ Number: 240494
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 27 Issue: 6 Dated: August 2012 Pages: 547-559
• Author(s): Maria Aysa-Lastra; Patria Rojas; Frank R. Dillon; Rui Duan; Mario De La Rosa
• Date Published: August 2012
• Length: 13 pages
• Grant Number(s): P20MD002288; R24DA014260
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Ctr on Minority Health and Health Disparities
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper explored the link between long-lasting relations within the family and intra-familial violence perpetrated against women in Latino households in South Florida.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the importance of family member closeness as a protective factor against domestic abuse. The authors explored the link between long-lasting relations within the family and intra-familial violence perpetrated against women in Latino households in South Florida. The authors used data from an Inter-generational Transmission of Drug Use between Latina Mothers and Daughters (ITDMD) study. The study includes data on family relations and domestic abuse. The authors estimated a series of multivariate regressions to obtain the probability of abuse against women, the types of abuse inflicted and the relationship with the abusers. The results indicate that among abused women, the effects of long-lasting relations within the family differ depending on the type of relationship between the abuser and the victim and the degree of closeness the victim feels towards other family members. Given these findings, there is a need to further study family relations and abuse in Latino households. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.