Introduction
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an issue that affects women worldwide. Approximately 30% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence in an intimate relationship (White & Satyen, 2015). Experiencing intimate partner violence can greatly affect a woman’s wellbeing leading to physical and mental health problems. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are among just some of the issues experienced by survivors of intimate partner violence. Women are twice as likely to experience depression (WHO, n.d.) and women who have experienced IPV are twice as likely to experience depression as women who have not experienced IPV. Depression has been linked to IPV across cultural groups including Latina women, Chinese immigrants, Hispanic women, …show more content…
While beating one’s wife is generally discouraged by Western cultures, some cultures such as Latino, Asian, African and Haitian view it as acceptable and a way to discipline (White & Satyen, 2015). Western definitions of IPV can include psychological, emotional, physical, financial, sexual, and verbal abuse. Other cultures may in include all or some of these based on their cultural values and norms. In African, Chinese, and South Asian cultures, verbal, financial, and sexual abuse are normalized (White & Satyen, 2015). In Japan, financial control is not included in their definition of intimate partner violence because traditionally men have controlled the finances (Wong, Tiwari, Fong & Bullock, 2016). In Mexico, IPV is seen as justified if the women have not filled the roles as wives (Terrazas-Carrillo, McWhirter, & Martel, 2016). From these examples, we can see how the definition and views can differ based on the gender roles. Many studies focus on physical and sexual abuse because they are easier to measure and identify. Because of different definitions of intimate partner violence and cultural norms, it can be difficult to gather data on the prevalence and, in turn, provide care for those who might not identify as …show more content…
Due to their bidirectional relationship, these issues are affected and exacerbated by each other. While it is unclear if and how depression and IPV may differ between cultures, it is clear that they are associated across many cultural groups. More research is needed to explore the relationship further and to understand how they may differ or not in different cultures. Researchers also need to develop and utilize more culturally relevant assessment tools. It is difficult to get an accurate picture of how depression and intimate partner violence is affecting women if the assessment tools are not applicable in non-Western
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an issue that affects women worldwide. Approximately 30% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence in an intimate relationship (White & Satyen, 2015). Experiencing intimate partner violence can greatly affect a woman’s wellbeing leading to physical and mental health problems. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are among just some of the issues experienced by survivors of intimate partner violence. Women are twice as likely to experience depression (WHO, n.d.) and women who have experienced IPV are twice as likely to experience depression as women who have not experienced IPV. Depression has been linked to IPV across cultural groups including Latina women, Chinese immigrants, Hispanic women, …show more content…
While beating one’s wife is generally discouraged by Western cultures, some cultures such as Latino, Asian, African and Haitian view it as acceptable and a way to discipline (White & Satyen, 2015). Western definitions of IPV can include psychological, emotional, physical, financial, sexual, and verbal abuse. Other cultures may in include all or some of these based on their cultural values and norms. In African, Chinese, and South Asian cultures, verbal, financial, and sexual abuse are normalized (White & Satyen, 2015). In Japan, financial control is not included in their definition of intimate partner violence because traditionally men have controlled the finances (Wong, Tiwari, Fong & Bullock, 2016). In Mexico, IPV is seen as justified if the women have not filled the roles as wives (Terrazas-Carrillo, McWhirter, & Martel, 2016). From these examples, we can see how the definition and views can differ based on the gender roles. Many studies focus on physical and sexual abuse because they are easier to measure and identify. Because of different definitions of intimate partner violence and cultural norms, it can be difficult to gather data on the prevalence and, in turn, provide care for those who might not identify as …show more content…
Due to their bidirectional relationship, these issues are affected and exacerbated by each other. While it is unclear if and how depression and IPV may differ between cultures, it is clear that they are associated across many cultural groups. More research is needed to explore the relationship further and to understand how they may differ or not in different cultures. Researchers also need to develop and utilize more culturally relevant assessment tools. It is difficult to get an accurate picture of how depression and intimate partner violence is affecting women if the assessment tools are not applicable in non-Western