Domestic Violence and Immigrant Communities in the United States: A Review of women's Unique Needs and Recommendations for Social Work Practice and Research

Abstract

Domestic violence is a serious and neglected issue in immigrant communities, just as it is throughout the United States. The following literature review across disciplines from the last five years reveals that a significant subset of domestic violence literature centers on issues related to domestic violence and immigrant communities in the United States. Such literature is particularly valuable to the social work field, as one goal of social work is to strive to provide empirically based, multi-cultural interventions for clients of differing backgrounds and nationalities. A review of this literature is provided, with suggestions for cultural competent practice with women living in immigrant communities who are experiencing domestic violence. Comprehensive interventions at the macro and micros levels to reduce domestic violence in immigrant communities are provided, as well as suggestions for future research directions.

Stress and Coping Strategies in the Lives of Recent Immigrants: A Grounded Theory Model

“…On the other hand, immigrants may struggle with their adaptation in ways that are detrimental to their well-being and that of their families. Specifically, the findings of this study are consistent with concerns that have been raised about the unprecedented rise of foreign-born inmates in American prisons (Leonhardt 2007) and growth of domestic violence in immigrant families (Ely 2004;Espín 1999;Yakushko and Chronister 2005). Further studies must address coping strategies employed by recent immigrants as well as the consequences of their coping patterns.…”

“…Results of the study also support previous research on stress and coping within this population. Many of the factors identified by scholars in prior studies (e.g., Donnelly 2002;Ely 2004;Finch and Vega 2003;Markovitzky and Mosek 2005;Portes and Rumbaut 2006;Romero and Roberts 2003;Yakushko 2009) were also evident in the grounded data analysis within this study. However, the finding of this study significantly expand previous scholarship by providing evidence of specific patterns and contextual conditions that are related to stress and its outcome for recent immigrants.…”

“…Acculturation refers to the patterns of reactions by a minority group to a new dominant cultural environment (Berry 1997;Flannery et al 2001;Salgado de Snyder 1994). Specific sources of stress identified in the literature have been associated with difficulties in adaptation to a new culture, linguistic limitations, relational conflicts due to cultural changes, economic challenges, loss of social contact and social status, as well as oppression within the new environment (Cervantes et al 1991;Ely 2004;Finch and Vega 2003;Levitt et al 2005;Portes and Rumbaut 2006;Ritsner et al 2001;Romero and Roberts 2003;Yakushko 2009;.…”

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services

“…Given their beginnings in second-wave feminism, which was dominated by White, middle-class women (Bent-Goodley, 2005), coupled with the dearth of funding for these services, it is perhaps not surprising that agencies still struggle to provide inclusive services to all survivors regardless of their age; economic status; race, ethnic, or cultural heritage; sexual orientation; and disability status. Indeed, other researchers have found similar results (see, e.g., Bell & Mattis, 2000;Ely, 2004;Moracco, Hilton, Hodges, & Frasier, 2005;Ullman & Townsend 2007;Vinton, 2003). Our findings suggest that reformulating funding and service delivery policies to improve inclusiveness in core services offered by domestic violence and sexual assault services (i.e., crisis services, advocacy, support groups, counseling and shelter) could strengthen the accessibility of services for all survivors.…”

“ . . . There is No War Here; It is Only the Relationship That Makes Us Scared”

“…Issues such as community acceptance of violence against women and the low social status of women tend to be universally experienced and therefore transcend particular cultures. However, these issues are likely to manifest in culturally specific ways in refugee communities as well as being intensified by a context of war, displacement, political structures, and fundamentalist religious beliefs (Ely, 2004).…”