Characteristics and Risk Factors of Chinese Immigrant Intimate Partner Violence Victims in New York City and the Role of Supportive Social Networks

Abstract

This study identified the characteristics and risk factors of Chinese immigrant intimate partner violence (IPV) victims and their offenders through a case study of 189 IPV victims who sought help from a Chinese community organization in Queens, New York City called “Garden of Hope.” A descriptive analysis was conducted on socioeconomic status (SES), support network as well as history of substance abuse problems and childhood abuse. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to understand the role of different types of social support networks on the level of abuse. Overall, the risk factors which were identified by other researchers could be found in Chinese immigrant populations. However, higher SES—in particular employment status and educational level—does not help victims escape from IPV, and not all types of social networks played a positive role in preventing further victimization among Chinese immigrant populations.