NCJ Number
220359
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 13 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2007 Pages: 1002-1028
Date Published
October 2007
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between cultural beliefs and the utilization of services among battered Arab immigrant women living in the United States.
Abstract
Results of the study identified several correlations among Arab immigrant women’s attitudes toward wife beating, traditional Arab attitudes concerning family role expectations, patriarchal beliefs regarding wife beating, and traditional beliefs concerning help-seeking behavior. The Arab immigrant women sampled who believed that husbands have the right to beat their wives in certain situations, that women themselves are to blame for their predicaments, and that they are responsible for their abuse were less likely to seek support in the form of medical, legal, family, mental health, or social services. To reduce the incidence of domestic violence against Arab immigrant women, not only the social roots of this behavior, but also the way in which cultural and Islamic religious institutions might assist in propagating information should be considered. This study shows that Arab immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence are an important subgroup for analysis and policy implementation. Arab immigrant women are disinclined to seek or accept external intervention in partner abuse cases. This study is the first to address the role that cultural beliefs and attitudes play in help-seeking behavior among battered Arab immigrant women living in the United States. All 67 participants in the study reported at least one act of partner abuse resulting in a consultation with various formal services. Tables, references