Gender Differences in Intimate Partner Violence Cause Attribution in South Asian Immigrants in the United States: Implications for Practice [Brief Note]

Abstract

South Asian immigrant communities in the United States face a significant prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV). This brief investigates the attributions of violence causes, particularly considering gender differences. For this study, data from a cross-sectional study with 450 adult South Asian participants was utilized. We explore three subscales—Structural/Cultural Causes, Environmental Causes, and Individual-Related Causes—of the violence cause scales. A gender-based comparison was done using t-tests for each item. Results revealed women attributing greater significance to cultural shifts and female autonomy factors compared with men. Findings emphasize the paradoxical relationship between women’s autonomy and IPV risk, advocating for a culturally sensitive approach in interventions, including strategies tailored to home country values, involving men, implementing family-based programs, and promoting cross-cultural communication.