Attitudes toward domestic violence and intention to intervene in domestic violence situations among Asian Americans

Chen, Y., Yoon, Y., Ko, Y. (Grady Alum), Choi, Y. J., Han, J. Y, & Orpinas, P. (2024, January). Attitudes toward domestic violence and intention to intervene in domestic violence situations among Asian Americans. 28th Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research. Washington, DC.

Abstract: Domestic violence is a widely recognized social problem that greatly threatens the well-being of individuals. The support and intervention of community members are critical components of survivors’ resilience and resources, but tolerant attitudes towards domestic violence may impede such intentions, especially in cultures with deep-rooted patriarchal beliefs, such as those prevalent in Asian societies. The present study examines the association between attitudes toward domestic violence and individuals’ intention to intervene in Asian communities. Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of 404 participants who self-identified as Asian in two large metropolitan areas in the U.S. Overall, the results are consistent with the theory of planned behavior. Individuals with attitudes that do not support domestic violence were more likely to intervene in domestic violence situations. This finding highlights the significance of community-level interventions that target Asian American community members’ attitudes towards domestic violence, which could serve as a crucial strategy to promote community-based support and help for survivors.