Health Care for Women International
Volume 32, Issue 9, 2011, Pages 779-794

Perceptions of factors contributing to intimate partner violence among Sri Lankan Tamil immigrant women in Canada (Article)

Hyman I.* , Mason R. , Guruge S. , Berman H. , Kanagaratnam P. , Manuel L.
  • a Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Cities Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • b Women's College Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • c School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • d School of Nursing, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
  • e Social Aetiology of Mental Health (SAMI), Center for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • f Family Service Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Abstract

In this article we explore Sri Lankan Tamil immigrant women's views on factors contributing to intimate partner violence (IPV). We conducted eight focus groups with young, midlife, and senior women and women who experienced IPV. Three main themes emerged: postmigration sources of stress and conflict, patriarchal social norms that dictated gendered behavior, and individual male attributes and behaviors. Study participants recognized gender inequality and financial dependence as contributing factors and the role of women in promoting marital harmony. Findings suggest that pre- and postmigration factors need to be considered in the prevention of IPV in newcomer communities. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

information processing perception Interpersonal Relations psychological aspect Spouses human middle aged Stress, Psychological mental stress Aged Adaptation, Psychological ethnology Spouse Abuse human relation Sri Lanka Humans male Canada female Socioeconomic Factors spouse adaptive behavior socioeconomics cultural factor Article partner violence adult migration Emigration and Immigration Cultural Characteristics Social Perception Focus Groups
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80051657719&doi=10.1080%2f07399332.2011.569220&partnerID=40&md5=7ba57630ee22745d3d1a98ffcadaf959
DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2011.569220
ISSN: 07399332
Cited by: 24
Original Language: English