Understanding Intimate Partner Violence in Young Hispanic Women in a Houston inner-city clinic

The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority group in the United States (U.S.). Acculturation to the U.S. may trigger stressors in Hispanics as they adapt to the American way of life. Young Hispanic women in particular may be vulnerable to risk behaviors such as intimate partner violence (IPV) as a result of cultural values and traits. Immigrant specific traits that may facilitate the manifestation of violent behaviors may include factors such as isolation, economic status, and undocumented status, lack of social support and language barriers.

The Magnolia Health Center serves approximately: 3355 family planning; 4000 prenatal care; 4500 adult and children immunization; and 3500 women's health preventive care office visits per year. Ninety-nine percent of the women served at Magnolia Health Center are of Hispanic descent, with a large majority having recently emigrated from Latin American countries. The majority of the population served at the Magnolia Health Center is uninsured and falls at the 150-200% poverty level.

The purpose of this survey was to understand the intimate partner violence prevalence in young Hispanic women; to assess the IPV and its association with acculturation; to assess IPV and its association with the role of family. A self-administered survey was conducted as part of the first author's study, “Acculturation, Prescription Drug Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence in Young Hispanic Women”. The data presented at this time includes analysis of a demographic questionnaire, a familism questionnaire, the Conflict Tactic Scale, and acculturation measured by proxy items and by the Brief ARMSA-II questionnaire.