NCJ Number
168519
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 12 Issue: 6 Dated: December 1997 Pages: 832-846
Date Published
1997
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This exploratory study of Chinese Americans' perceptions of domestic violence addressed Chinese Americans' definitions of domestic violence, attitudes toward the use of interpersonal violence, causes of domestic violence, and contextual justifications for the use of violence, along with demographic variables related to various perceptions of domestic violence.
Abstract
A total of 31 Chinese adults (16 men and 15 women) were randomly selected with the use of a 1995 telephone directory for the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County. A telephone questionnaire on perceptions of domestic violence was administered. Respondents defined domestic violence as physical or sexual acts of aggression between spouses as opposed to psychological aggression. Chinese men and women did not agree with the use of violence in the home or that hitting is an effective problemsolving strategy; however, they tended to justify it in cases of self-defense and defense of a child. Domestic violence was attributed to individual and environmental factors. Minimal gender differences were found; however, age and length of residence in the United States were significantly related to various perceptions of domestic violence. The cultural context of domestic violence and implications for social work interventions and research are discussed. 3 tables and 48 references