Prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence among Chinese immigrant women

An Empowerment-Based Intervention for Chinese Immigrant Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence: Feasibility and Acceptability

BACKGROUND

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern, particularly in vulnerable populations such as Chinese immigrant women.

AIM

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an empowerment-based intervention integrated with relaxation and self-compassion techniques for Chinese immigrant women experiencing IPV.

METHODS

The present study was a part of a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT). A total of 50 Chinese immigrant women who had experienced IPV in the past year were recruited online and randomized to either the intervention or the control group. The intervention group engaged in seven weekly sessions delivered with a phone call and a mobile application. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through surveys and interviews to evaluate intervention adherence, participants' perceptions, and areas for improvement.

RESULTS

64% of the participants completed each weekly session, demonstrating favorable intervention adherence. The intervention was perceived to be helpful by most participants, with reported decreases in stress, anxiety, fatigue, pain, and family conflicts, and with reported improvements in emotion regulation and self-compassion. However, technical issues with the mobile platform and lack of personalization were identified as limitations.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention for Chinese immigrant women experiencing IPV and warrants a full-scale RCT to determine its efficacy. It will be essential to personalize the intervention and reduce any barriers to participation.

Domestic Violence in Asian Communities: A Scoping Review of Quantitative Literature

Domestic violence (DV) is a prevalent social problems that threaten individuals' health and well-being, and the issue of DV in Asian communities requires extensive and comprehensive investigation. Following the steps by Arksey and O'Malley, a scoping review was conducted to (a) summarize and synthesize existing quantitative evidence on the topic of DV in Asian immigrant communities in North America, and (b) identify research gaps in the literature to guide future work. Inclusion criteria were that (a) the studies must comprise a sample of Asian immigrants in North America, (b) the focus of the article was specifically on individuals' experiences of DV in the past year or lifetime, (c) DV was measured as either independent or dependent variable, (d) full-text publications written in English, (e) articles must be peer-reviewed, quantitative studies. On completion of the review process, 35 full-text articles were identified for review. Across studies, five main topics emerged: factors related to DV victimization, prevalence and forms of DV, individuals' attitudes and/or perceptions about DV, DV-related consequences, and intervention evaluation. Some less common topics include help-seeking behaviors and sources and culturally responsive scales. The findings of this review suggest that future research will benefit from using a nationally representative Asian sample and culturally sensitive tools, examining potential protective factors against DV victimization, and employing an experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of culturally sensitive interventions. Policies should provide stronger support to agencies and practitioners to deliver culturally sensitive services.

Intimate Partner Violence Risk Factors: A Vulnerability-Adaptation Stress Model Approach

Intimate partner violence (IPV) disproportionally affects women. Using the vulnerability-adaptation stress model, we examined adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), self-esteem, and hope as vulnerability indicators and relationship status and length, positive and negative affect, and socioeconomic status (SES) as stressors to ascertain the risk for IPV. Women (N = 491, M = 37.15, standard deviation = 12.51) completed an online survey comprised of the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale, Snyder's Hope Scale, ACE questionnaire, Composite Abuse Scale Revised-Short Form, and demographic questions. Factor analysis identified four ACE factors of sexual abuse, physical or psychological abuse, witnessing domestic violence, and household dysfunction. A five-step hierarchical multiple regression identified that greater exposure to physical or psychological child abuse was associated with an increased risk of IPV (Step 2), B = 0.73 [0.16, 1.34]. Lower self-esteem, B = -0.30 [-0.47, -0.14] predicted IPV (Step 3). Age B = 0.07 [0.01, 0.13], negative affect, B = 0.39 [0.19, 0.59], and relationship length, B = -1.24 [-2.16, 0.41] were associated with a higher risk of IPV (Step 4). In Step 5, previous variables attenuated to non-significance while age, B = 0.07 [0.01, 0.13], negative affect, B = 0.39 [0.19, 0.59], and relationship length B = -1.25 [-2.16, 0.41] remained significant. While the key findings of this study were inconsistent with some commonly reported findings (e.g., ACEs, self-esteem, hope, relationship status, SES, age), these inconsistencies are important to highlight given the factorial approach to examining ACEs, the comprehensive analyses conducted, and our examination of these variables' direct relationship to IPV. The study was limited by its cross-sectional nature, higher prevalence of IPV victims, and not examining IPV sub-types. Similar studies need to be conducted for other relationship types and victimized individuals (e.g., same-sex relationships and male victims) to provide a complete picture of risk factors for IPV.

Adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner violence: A meta-analysis

Intimate partner violence (IPV) represents a significant public health concern. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) represent one risk factor for IPV, however, the results of existing research on the association between ACEs and IPV demonstrate mixed findings. The present research sought to meta-analytically examine the association between ACEs and (a) IPV perpetration and (b) IPV victimization. Moderator analyses were conducted to determine factors that may impact the association between ACEs and IPV involvement. Electronic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO in August of 2021. One-hundred and twenty-three records were screened for inclusion. All studies included a measure of ACEs and IPV victimization or perpetration. Among the 27 studies and 41 samples included in the meta-analysis, 65,330 participants were included. The results of the meta-analyses demonstrated that ACEs were positively associated with IPV perpetration and victimization. Significant methodological and measurement moderators further inform our understanding of ACEs and IPV involvement. The present meta-analyses demonstrates that trauma-informed approaches to IPV screening, prevention, and intervention may be useful, given that individuals who are involved with IPV may be more likely to possess a history of ACEs exposure.

Self-Compassion, Health, and Empowerment: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial for Chinese Immigrant Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

Chinese immigrant survivors of men's violence experience both significant mental health impacts from abuse and barriers to formal services. Therefore, we examined the preliminary efficacy of an innovative mobile-based empowerment-based intervention (self-compassion, health, and empowerment; SHE) that specifically focuses on abused Chinese immigrant women in the US. This pilot study used a two-arm randomized controlled design with repeated measures. A convenience sample (N = 50) of Chinese immigrant women who experienced past year intimate partner violence (IPV) were recruited online and randomly assigned to the intervention or control group (25 per group). We assessed IPV exposure, safety behaviors, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and self-compassion at baseline, post-intervention, and 8-week follow-up. Of 95 eligible participants, 50 (52.6%) agreed to participate and completed baseline data collection; intervention completion rate was 64%. We found a significant group and time interaction for self-judgment (a self-compassion component), with a significant reduction seen in the intervention group compared to the control group. Despite no other significant group differences observed over time, the intervention group showed consistent trends toward improvements in most outcome measures, including specific types of IPV (i.e., negotiation, psychological aggression, and sexual coercion), depressive and PTSD symptoms, self-compassion, and certain components of self-compassion (i.e., isolation and over-identification) when compared to the control group. Our findings suggest that the SHE intervention shows promise in improving the mental health well-being of Chinese immigrant survivors. However, a fully powered randomized controlled trial is warranted to determine its efficacy. Our intervention has the potential to be translated in the Chinese immigrant populations with the necessary organizational support.

Intimate Partner Violence and Immigration in the United States: A Systematic Review

This systematic review sought to describe the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among immigrants in the United States (U.S.) and the prevalence of IPV perpetration among immigrants in the U.S. PsycInfo, PubMed, Global Health and Scopus databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature that quantitatively examined IPV in relation to immigration. Twenty-four articles were included in the final review. Past-year IPV victimization rates among immigrants ranged from 3.8% to 46.9% and lifetime IPV victimization rates ranged from 13.9% to 93%; past-year IPV perpetration rates ranged from 3.0% to 24.8% and the one lifetime IPV perpetration rate was 12.8%. Estimates varied widely by country of origin, type of violence measured, and measure used to quantify IPV. Reliance on small convenience samples is problematic when trying to determine the true prevalence of IPV among immigrants. Epidemiological research is needed to improve the accuracy and representativeness of findings.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Depression, and Intimate Partner Violence Among Chinese Immigrant Women: Mediation by Social and Partner Support

BACKGROUND

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with an increased risk of depression and intimate partner violence (IPV). Social support and partner support may help explain this association. Few researchers have focused on Chinese immigrant women, who are less likely than native-born women to seek help for mental health challenges and IPV.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the mediation effects of social and partner support on the relationship between (a) ACEs and (b) depressive symptoms and IPV among Chinese immigrant women living in the United States.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of data from 475 Chinese immigrant women recruited online. Depressive symptoms, IPV, ACEs, perceived social support, and perceived partner support were measured cross-sectionally. Mediation analyses were conducted to test the mediating role of social and partner support on the associations between ACEs and depressive symptoms and IPV.

RESULTS

Social support and partner support fully mediated the relationship between ACEs and depressive symptoms. However, partner support only partially mediated the relationship between ACEs and IPV.

DISCUSSION

ACEs indirectly affect depressive symptoms by undermining both general perceptions of support and perceived partner support. The findings of this study underscore the critical influence of a lack of partner support in mediating the effects of ACEs on Chinese immigrant women's risk of IPV. Promoting strong existing support networks, creating new support resources, and improving partner relationships are important targets for interventions to mitigate the effects of ACEs on depression and IPV in Chinese immigrant women.

"Get Stuck and Can't Walk Out": Exploring the Needs for Support Among Chinese Immigrant Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence in the United States

Chinese immigrant survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the United States have been overlooked and underserved. The purpose of this study was to explore their perceptions of resources for assistance as well as their priority needs. We conducted phone interviews with 20 Chinese immigrant women who had experienced IPV in the past year. The women expressed their needs for emotional support, culturally specific services, a variety of online resources to meet different demands, being empowered, raising the Chinese community's awareness about IPV, and batterer intervention programs. These women's testimonies shows that greater effort should be directed toward addressing those needs in order to reduce IPV and its impacts on health in this vulnerable group of women.