Attitudes of Palestinians Toward Social Work Interventions in Cases of Wife Assault

Abstract

The study examined the attitudes of Palestinian adults toward social work interventions in cases of husband-to-wife assault (HWA). A survey, using self-administered questionnaires and interviews, was conducted among a random sample of 624 adults from the Palestinian Authority. Results indicate higher levels of support for interventions aimed at helping the couple solve their problems than for interventions aimed at protecting the safety of battered women. However, this trend becomes reversed in cases of repeated and severe HWA. Greater support for interventions aimed at protecting the safety of battered women was found among women versus men and younger versus older adults, as well as among individuals with lower levels of justifying wife abuse and more egalitarian expectations of marriage.

Young Arab Women’s Processes of Coping With Girl Abuse: Intersection of Patriarchal Oppression and Being a National Minority in Israel

“…When women receive formal support, they often experience practices that are not adapted to their complex sociocultural and political reality. This stems from the fact that the theories, approaches, and therapeutic techniques are based mainly on Western populations (Haj-Yahia & Btoush, 2018). Thus, we argue that the victimization of abused Arab girls is multiplied, in view of the barriers to receiving formal support.…”

“…However, most studies have focused on Western societies, namely individualistic, postindustrial societies, which differ from traditional, transitional, and collectivist societies (Haj-Yahia, 2011; Haj-Yahia & Btoush, 2018). For example, aspects of “self” are not compatible with the individualist, autonomous, and separative self that Western theories posit (Meler, 2017).…”

Attitudes Toward Wife Beating Among Female and Male Adolescents in Jordan

“…Hence, there is a need to combine different theoretical perspectives into an integrative framework, because this may allow a more elaborate understanding of the complex phenomena of wife beating attitudes. Building on previous research (see, for example, Haj-Yahia & Btoush, 2018;Haj-Yahia & Uysal, 2011), we examined predictors of wife beating attitudes that are based on three theoretical perspectives: (1) patriarchal ideology, (2) social learning theory, and (3) social cognition. These three theoretical perspectives were chosen as there is evidence that each of them may explain to some extent why individuals justify wife beating.…”

Jewish Bathhouse Attendants as Key Figures for the Identification and Referral of Women in Distress: Contributors to Role Perception

“…Although social work values stress the importance of reaching out to marginalized clients, the populations most in need may be inaccessible, challenging reaching-out strategies (Compton et al, 2005). Not only must social workers contend with problems of time and workload, but, as noted above, people experiencing adversity may be afraid to share their plight, fearing the consequences of disclosure (Bacchus et al, 2003; Dennis & Chung-Lee, 2006; Haj-Yahia & Btoush, 2018).…”

“…Women who experience mental health issues, distress, or intimate partner violence often struggle to acknowledge their situation or turn for help. This is true even, or perhaps especially, when their condition is severe and/or accompanied by feelings of shame (Bacchus et al, 2003; Dennis & Chung-Lee, 2006; Haj-Yahia & Btoush, 2018), cultural stigma, or negative beliefs and stereotypes in their society (McEvoy et al, 2017; Rosen et al, 2008). Studies show that once such women decide to ask for assistance, the first reaction they encounter is highly critical.…”