Family and friend responses to Filipino loved ones experiencing partner abuse.

Abstract

Community-based research shows that 22% of Filipino Americans report experiencing at least one form of partner abuse (PA) during their lifetime, a higher prevalence rate than those documented among other Asian ethnic groups (Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, 2018). Victims with support resources are less likely to experience negative health outcomes and revictimization, and one of the most important sources of support is family and friends (Coker, Watkins, Smith, & Brandt, 2003). The vast majority of PA victims disclose first to family and friends and turn to them most for informal support (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). There is little research, however, that has involved asking family and friends directly about how they responded to loved ones involved in abusive intimate partnerships. The purpose of this study was to explore in depth family members’ and friends’ responses to Filipino loved ones involved in PA relationships. We used a constructivist–interpretivist research paradigm and phenomenological methods to conduct 29 in-depth interviews with family members and friends. Findings indicate that participants considered it important to respond in ways that allowed them to maintain their connection with loved ones and support their welfare, and 2 types of response categories emerged: communication responses and actions taken. Findings illuminate the importance of working collaboratively with family and friends to cocreate definitions of PA as well as identify PA responses that consider a collective perspective on individual well-being and address the dynamic relationship, social, and cultural contexts in which family and friends respond.

Contextual and cultural factors affecting network members’ responses to Filipino survivors of partner abuse.

“…We found that family and friends used numerous communication and action responses to stay connected to their loved ones and support their loved ones’ safety and welfare (see Table 1). Family members and friends communicated with loved ones by affirming their feelings and experiences; sharing information about PA or sharing their own PA experiences; challenging loved ones’ perceptions of their relationship and behaviors; remaining nonjudgmental; and avoiding discussions about the PA or hiding the PA. Filipino family and friends also took actions to respond, including connecting interpersonally with survivors and their families; setting boundaries; intervening directly during abusive or threatening situations; consulting with other social network members; monitoring their loved ones’ safety/welfare; and providing resources (Chronister et al, 2020). Chronister et al (2020) provided a first glimpse at the responses of Filipino network members’ responses to loved ones experiencing PA, but did not detail what contextual and cultural factors influenced network members’ response decisions, and how…”

“…The aim of the present study, therefore, was to build on findings from a previous study (Chronister et al, 2020) to identify the contextual and cultural factors that influenced family members’ and friends’ responses to PA, and how these factors influenced their response choices. Table 1 provides a results summary of network members’ response choices from our previous study (Chronister et al, 2020).…”

“…The aim of the present study, therefore, was to build on findings from a previous study (Chronister et al, 2020) to identify the contextual and cultural factors that influenced family members’ and friends’ responses to PA, and how these factors influenced their response choices. Table 1 provides a results summary of network members’ response choices from our previous study (Chronister et al, 2020). To end PA in our communities, scholars have emphasized that we must understand how network members respond and better engage and support network members in PA prevention and intervention efforts, and that by doing so we, as a society, frame PA not as an individual problem, but a problem that is embedded in our communities and societies (Banyard, 2011; Browning, 2002; Goodman & Smyth, 2011; Latta & Goodman, 2011).…”

“…We recently conducted a study to explore how family members and friends responded to Filipino loved ones experiencing PA (Chronister et al, 2020). We found that family and friends used numerous communication and action responses to stay connected to their loved ones and support their loved ones' safety and welfare (see Table 1).…”

“…The vast majority of PA victims, for example, disclose first to family and friends and turn to them most for informal support (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). Scholars have conducted few studies with family and friends directly to understand what factors influence how they respond to PA. Our study purpose was to expand on Chronister et al’s (2020) findings by identifying what contextual and cultural factors affected, how family members and friends responded to their Filipino loved ones involved in PA relationships. We used a constructivist–interpretivist research paradigm and phenomenological methods to conduct 29 in-depth interviews with family members and friends.…”