Examining Domestic Violence Perceptions and Correlates Among South Asian Immigrants

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine domestic violence (DV) perceptions and their correlates among South Asian (SA) immigrant men and women across the United States. Background: DV disparately impacts SA immigrants in the US due to acculturation, immigration barriers, and SA cultural values. Despite the high prevalence of DV among SAs, little is known about DV perceptions and their correlates among SAs. Studies have only been conducted on DV experiences with victims and women, excluding men leading to gaps in the evidence on DV perceptions. Method: This cross-sectional study included male and female SAs (N = 468) across the 50 US states. Hierarchical multiple regression examined the relationship between DV perceptions with sociodemographic factors, acculturation, and gender-role attitudes. Results: Overall, gender-role attitudes were associated with all four types of DV perceptions, whereas acculturation was associated with two types of DV perceptions. Conclusion: The current study is the first to identify DV perceptions and the correlates associated with DV perceptions among the SA community. Implications: The perceptions and the relationships that emerged in this study have implications for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The study findings can be pivotal in designing culturally responsive awareness interventions for SAs. These interventions can be subsequently adapted for other immigrant communities.