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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Jhumka Gupta, MPH and Jay G. Silverman, PhD. Division of Public Health Practice/Department of Society, Human Development & Health, Harvard University, 677 Huntington Ave., Kresge 705, Boston, MA 02115, 617-432-6344, jgupta@hsph.harvard.edu

Background: Prior research indicates 48-54% of immigrant populations in Canada and the US report pre-migration political violence exposure (Rousseau & Drapeau, 2004; Eisenman et al, 2003). Despite high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) among some immigrant groups (Raj & Silverman, 2002; Dutton et al, 2000), no research has investigated if pre-migration exposure to political violence and IPV perpetration are associated. Objective: To investigate the relationship between exposure to pre-migration political violence and IPV perpetration among young adult men attending four urban community health centers in Boston. Methods: Immigrant men ages 18-35 anonymously completed an automated computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI). Men self-reported their experiences of pre-migration exposure to political violence, post-migration IPV perpetration, length of time in the US, and exposure to IPV in childhood. Results: Data will be reported on 400 immigrant men. Preliminary findings (N=200) indicate that 29% of respondents reported pre-migration exposure to political violence; 55% of these men reported IPV perpetration; IPV perpetration was significantly associated with pre-migration exposure to political violence. Conclusion: The findings suggest an association between IPV and pre-migration political violence exposure among this sample of young adult, foreign-born men. Further research is needed to clarify this observed relationship.

Learning Objectives:

• •To identify the prevalence of exposure to pre-migration political violence
• •To describe how male-perpetrated IPV is associated with pre-migration political violence
• •To discuss future research and programmatic implications

Keywords: Immigrant Domestic Violence, Minority Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation