Domestic violence (DV) is a significant concern for the well-being of South Asian (SA) immigrant women. Although there have been empirical studies that discussed socio-cultural risk factors related to SA immigrant women's experience of DV, there have not been any efforts to summarize these factors in a single study. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize empirical studies that explored socio-cultural risk factors of DV among SA immigrant women in English speaking countries. 16 English language peer reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria. The socio-cultural risk factors identified in the reviewed studies included lack of social support, low acculturation, high enculturation, patriarchal beliefs, economic control by the husband, traditional gender role attitudes, and stigma about divorce. Implications for research and practice are discussed. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

domestic violence English speaking countries Socio-cultural risk factors South Asian immigrant women

cultural value vulnerable population immigrant social exclusion alienation adaptation South Asian husband survival interpersonal communication human social isolation trend study risk assessment injury social aspect coping behavior priority journal patriarchal belief social interaction peer review stereotypy social support emotional abuse Social Work knowledge marriage income social control social belief stress risk factor Review cultural factor stigma prevalence sex role help seeking behavior partner violence battered woman in-law exposure to violence sexual violence social attitude Fear enculturation ostracism divorce