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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Catherine A. Taylor, MSW, MPH and Susan B. Sorenson, PhD. School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences Dept, University of California Los Angeles, Box 951772, Violence Prevention Research Group, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, (310) 825-1083, cataylor@ucla.edu
Purpose: To understand attitudes of adults in California regarding societal intervention in domestic violence situations, and to compare responses across ethnic groups. Methods: A random digit dial sample of California phone numbers was used to survey 3,679 adults of roughly equal proportions from six ethnic groups: Black, Hispanic, White, Korean-American, Vietnamese-American and Other Asian. An experimental study design was implemented in which vignettes were presented containing randomized variables pertaining to domestic violence context, including: age, race, gender, nativity, socioeconomic status, relationship status of victim/assailant; weapon and alcohol use; motivation for, type, and frequency of abuse, and presence of children. Responses were analyzed using frequencies and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The majority surveyed thought the assailant's behavior described in the vignettes was wrong (96%), illegal (71%), or should be illegal (77%). Most believed that appropriate societal responses included gun removal (84%), calling police (55%), and issuing a restraining order (54%). Of those who supported calling police, 82% thought the assailant should be arrested and of these, 83% thought the assailant should serve jail time. Seventy percent thought that social workers should be called when children were present. Hispanics generally were more willing than Asians, Blacks, or Whites to involve legal and social agencies in response. Conclusions: Most respondents considered all types of domestic violence described in the vignettes to be problematic and in need of societal intervention, regardless of other contextual variables. Educational campaign efforts may consider enlisting more witness assistance given high support for calling police and social workers.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Violence, Women
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.