An Exploratory Study Of Psychosocial Factors And Attitudes Related To Domestic Violence Among Armenian Women In Los Angeles

Author : Iwona Konczak
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 124 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (648 download)

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Download or read book "The Sound of Broken Silence". An Explorative Study of Domestic Violence Experienced by Polish Immigrant Women in Chicago: Battered Women's Perceptions and Beliefs about Domestic Violence, Coping Strategies, and Attitudes Towards Mental Health Services written by Iwona Konczak and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 124 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Literature indicates that ethnicity, culture, and immigration can have an effect on battered women's experiences of domestic violence and their responses to it. Yet, not much is known about the experiences of battered immigrant women from different cultural or ethnic groups. Presently, there are virtually no studies examining the experiences of battered Polish immigrant women who live in the United States. Lack of data in this area may impede the development of appropriate intervention programs for such women. This preliminary, exploratory study aimed to examine Polish immigrant women's perceptions and beliefs about domestic violence, the types of coping strategies they use, and their attitudes toward mental health services. A qualitative, phenomenological design was utilized. Five battered Polish immigrant women, currently receiving domestic violence services from a Polish community agency, provided accounts of the experiences of living in an abusive relationship. Data analysis led to emergence of several major themes: (a) the relationship story - a sequential, progressive picture, (b) describing the abuser, (c) describing the violence, (d) consequences of the violence, (e) coping and surviving, (f) children and concern for the children, (g) reaching for help, (h) attitudes and opinions about receiving services, (i) leaving and beyond, (j) religion and culture, and (k) effects of immigration. A section containing words of advice from the women in this study to other women who may be in similar situations is included. Discussion examining the impact of culture, religion, immigration, patriarchy, power, and control dynamics on the women's experiences follows. It is proposed that the experiences of battered Polish immigrant women can be better understood by looking at the continuous impact of the socio-cultural factors in their country of origin, those present in the new country, and the interaction of these factors (Yoshihama, 2001). The women in this study used a wide range of coping strategies to deal with their situation; in reaching out for help, they usually sought help from legal or victims' services first as opposed to seeking such help from family or friends. The women presented favorable views relative the help they have received from counselors, social workers, psychologists, or victims' advocates. The study revealed that poor legal protection for battered Polish women in their country of origin, lack of adequate services, and negative views and stereotypes regarding divorce, affected the women's perceptions of their situation, leading them to be unaware of their rights in their new country, and not expecting that anyone will help them.