More inquiry is needed into how Mexican immigrant survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) are seeking help, to improve interventions designed to reach this isolated and vulnerable population. This grounded theory study, using a sample of 29 Mexican immigrant survivors of IPV and 15 key informants, examines the help-seeking process. Findings indicate that informal networks, particularly family and female friends, play a critical role in providing assistance and linking women to formal services. These findings have implications for the delivery of formal domestic violence services to this community as well as the response of police and other formal service systems. © The Author(s) 2014.

Mexican Immigrant Help-seeking Informal networks Intimate partner violence

statistics and numerical data Emigrants and Immigrants female Humans social support Help-Seeking Behavior Mexican American Mexican Americans Intimate Partner Violence help seeking behavior human partner violence migrant psychology