This phenomenological qualitative study examines intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by a sample of 29 Mexican immigrant women residing in New York and St. Louis. The findings reveal important insights about culturally specific abuse tactics employed by batterers and the forms of abuse that are experienced as most hurtful to the survivors. Ten different abusive tactics emerged: verbal, economic, physical, sexual, and extended family abuse, social isolation, physical abuse of children, stalking and monitoring, stolen bride, and sex trafficking. Cultural values and expectations appear to be inextricably linked to how the participants characterized the severity of each of the abusive tactics as evidenced by which abusive behaviors the participants found most hurtful. The findings will help service providers have a better understanding of the role cultural context plays in the IPV experiences of Mexican immigrant women. © 2012 Springer Publishing Company.

Abuse tactics Mexican immigrant women culture Intimate partner violence

Missouri Interpersonal Relations psychological aspect Wounds and Injuries human survivor injury statistics Survivors Coercion persuasive communication ethnology Mexico Spouse Abuse human relation United States Young Adult Humans Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Risk Factors cultural factor women's health Article partner violence adult migration New York City Cultural Characteristics attitude to health