4105.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 12:50 PM

Abstract #30832

Gender, Culture, and Communication in Relation to Domestic Violence among Asian American immigrants: Identifying Prevention and Intervention Strategies

Mei-Ling Wang, PhD and Mei-Ling Wang, PhD. MPH Program, Harvard University, 207 Park Drive, #324, Boston, MA 02215, 278-971-7272, meilingwang49@hotmail.com

This paper is designed to address the factors that contribute to the domestic violence issue as well as to develop a framework for domestic violence prevention and intervention in Asian American community. Domestic violence has received increasing attention from the American public.l It has become a serious public health issue because of the negative impact that domestic violence brings about on the family, especially the children. Children who grow up in a violent environment tend to demonstrate negative psychological and social behavior in their adulthood. Contrary to the model minority sterotype, Asian American community is not immune from this problem, despite the fact that the offical statistic of domestic violence in the Asian community is lower than other ethnic groups. The problem is actually severe among the Asian immigrants. There are a number of factors that contribute to the incidence of domestic violence in Asian American immigrants, including adjustment problems, economic pressure, inequality in gender relations, and substance abuse problems. Among these factors, culturally prescribed gender communication behavior plays an important role in the abuse patterns of and the victims' reactions to the abuser. This study will offer an analysis of the way in which gender communication dynamic among Asian immigrants affects a host of other factors among Asian immigrants. Based on this analysis, strategies for developing a prevention and intervention program will be identified.

Learning Objectives: none specified

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA