Prevalence and predictors of intimate partner violence among Korean women in California

Background. Intimate partner violence is related to adverse health conditions, risky health behaviors, and higher rates of injury and death.

Objective. To determine the prevalence of psychological aggression, physical assault and sexual coercion among Korean women.

Methods. Data were drawn from a representative, bilingual telephone survey of Korean adult women residing in California (n=591). The Conflict Tactics Scale 2 assessed the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV).

Results. In their lifetime, 20.8% of participants reported physical assault, 43.5% sexual coercion and 62.4% psychological aggression. Bivariate analyses revealed the following results. Younger woman (18-34) reported less IPV than older age groups. More women who were ever married were more likely to report acts of sexual coercion and psychological aggression than women who had never married (p<.001). Among women who were at risk for binge eating, 49.2% experienced sexual coercion compared to 38.8% among non-binge eaters (p=.012). Higher percentage of woman who smoked reported experiencing physical assault (44.1%) compared to non-smokers (19.3%).Women who experienced higher levels of IPV were more likely to have had spouses/partners who smoked and drank. Lower levels of acculturation and higher levels of immigration stress and depression were significantly associated with IPV. No differences in reported IPV were observed by reported education level or regular drinking.

Conclusions. 50.1% of Korean women in CA had experienced physical assault or sexual coercion in their lifetime, almost double the CDC estimates for U.S. females. Multivariate results will be explored.