Knowledge and Attitudes About Intimate Partner Violence Among Immigrant Latinos in Rural North Carolina

Abstract

To create appropriate intimate partner violence (IPV) services for Latino immigrants, practitioners must be aware of their needs. We conducted interviews with 100 recent Latino immigrants in a rural North Carolina county. Overall, IPV was not perceived to be a problem; however, men and women differed in their perceptions. Men were more likely to agree with IPV myths, and both men and women felt that IPV had a detrimental impact on children. Many did not know about the local domestic violence agency, and knowledge about protective orders was limited. Outreach should emphasize the seriousness of IPV, adapt content for gender-specific audiences, and increase awareness about local resources.

Gender Differences in Intimate Partner Violence and Alcohol Use Among Latino-Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers in Rural Southeastern North Carolina

“…Machismo and male domination are components that are pervasive in the social fabric of Latino culture and are perpetuated from generation to generation (Padilla & Villalobos, 2007;Perilla, Bakeman, & Norris, 1994). The machismo role in Latino culture affects male con-138 KIM-GODWIN AND FOX trol of the female partner, which influences, as well as perpetuates, partner violence (Klevens, 2007;Mattson & Ruiz, 2005;Moracco et al, 2005;Moreno, 2007).…”

“…Respondents were asked a series of questions that gauged their perceptions about the tolerance and causes of IPV (1 = strongly disagree; 2 = disagree; 3 = agree; and 4 = strongly agree). Respondents were also asked to rate the seriousness of IPV in their community (1 = not at all; 2 = not very serious; 3 = serious; and 4 = very serious; Moracco et al, 2005).…”

“…Perceptions of IPV were assessed using the tool developed by the Coalition for Family Peace (Moracco, Hilton, Hodges, & Frasier, 2005). The tool includes 12 questions and uses a 4-point Likert-type scale to indicate perceived seriousness of various problems, GENDER DIFFERENCES: PARTNER VIOLENCE AND ALCOHOL USE and level of agreement with statements about IPV.…”

“…The HITS was used to assess IPV and perceptions of IPV were assessed using the 12 item tool developed by the Coalition for Family Peace (Moracco et al, 2005). Correlational analyses revealed small yet significant associations between total score of HITS and several of the IPV perception items.…”

Unique Factors that Place Older Hispanic Women at Risk for HIV: Intimate Partner Violence, Machismo, and Marianismo

“…Gender roles (e.g., machismo, marianismo) that are part of Hispanic culture have been associated with IPV (Cianelli et al, 2008; Moracco, Hilton, Hodges, & Frasier, 2005; Mouton, 2003). In a study conducted by Cianelli and colleagues (2008), IPV was justified by women as an expression of machismo characterized by domination, control, and pressures exerted by male partners that increased the risk of acquiring HIV (Jacobs & Thomlison, 2009).…”