Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence Among Hindu Asian Indian Immigrant Women in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: A Feasibility Study

Authors

Chelsea Pallatino, Making Cents InternationalFollow
Todd Bear, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health SciencesFollow
Martha A. Terry, University of Pittsburgh Graduation School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health SciencesFollow

Keywords

domestic violence; Asian Indian immigrant women; feasibility

Disciplines

Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Other Public Health | Women's Health

Abstract

While there is research on survivors of domestic violence in India and the United States (U.S.), little is known about the sociocultural factors related to domestic violence among Hindu Asian Indian immigrant women (AIIW) in the U.S. The objectives of this study were to a) test the feasibility of conducting domestic violence research among Hindu AIIW; b) investigate domestic violence prevalence and correlations with other characteristics; and c) test the cultural appropriateness of completed measures on social support, acculturation status, and domestic violence. Over 50% of respondents had experienced abuse, often perpetrated by family. Participants had high levels of social support and acculturation, regardless of their abuse status. Participants were receptive to this research, suggesting that domestic violence research among Hindu AIIW is feasible. High prevalence of violence among Hindu AIIW suggests they are at high risk for experiencing abuse; lack of variability in social support and acculturation scale responses suggest the need to further test instruments among Hindu AIIW.

Recommended Citation

Pallatino, Chelsea; Bear, Todd; and Terry, Martha A. (2018) "Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence Among Hindu Asian Indian Immigrant Women in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: A Feasibility Study," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 12: Iss. 6, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol12/iss6/4