Latina and Caribbean Immigrant Women's Experiences With Intimate Partner Violence: A Story of Ambivalent Sexism

Despite extensive descriptive work on intimate partner violence (IPV) among Latina and Caribbean immigrant women (LCIW), culturally appropriate interventions for primary and secondary prevention of IPV for this population remain lacking. Developing culturally appropriate and effective prevention interventions for abused LCIW requires a more nuanced understanding regarding the dynamics of cultural values, immigration status, and manifestations of IPV. The purposes of this study were to examine LCIW's experiences of domestic violence, using a gender stereotype framework, and to describe how ascribing to gender stereotypes perpetuates and normalizes experiences of abuse. Thirty semistructured individual interviews were conducted with LCIW (a) who were at least 18 years old and (b) who had experienced abuse from an intimate partner within the last 2 years. Overall, women described themselves as communal-being caretakers, submissive, and dependent on men. From their perspective, they described their male abusers as being controlling, angry, and violent. The risk for experiencing violence increased when women defied their prescriptive gender roles by seeking employment and by developing their social networks and activities. Substance abuse and alcohol misuse also compounded their partners' abusive behaviors. Despite some women experiencing more abuse after migration to the United States, coming to the United States exposed them to other opportunities and ways of being a woman, which facilitated an awareness about their abuse and was a motivator for help-seeking and ending abuse. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing traditional gender stereotypes for secondary prevention of IPV.

Automated summary

Despite extensive research on intimate partner violence among Latina and Caribbean immigrant women, culturally appropriate interventions for prevention of IPV remain lacking. This study examined LCIW's experiences of domestic violence through a gender stereotype framework, finding that ascribing to gender stereotypes perpetuates and normalizes abuse. Women described themselves as communal, submissive, and dependent on men, while their male abusers were seen as controlling, angry, and violent. Defying traditional gender roles by seeking employment and establishing social networks increased the risk of violence. Migration to the United States exposed some women to opportunities and helped them to recognize their abuse, leading to seeking help and ending the abuse.