Intimate partner violence in rural communities: the perspective of men of Mexican descent

Abstract

This study investigates the perspectives of men of Mexican descent on intimate partner violence in rural western and southwestern United States communities. A sample of 51 key informants (18+ years old) in 10 predominantly Mexican American rural communities was interviewed to determine community readiness to address the issue of intimate partner violence. Eleven men of Mexican descent (18+ years old) in two separate communities participated in two focus group interviews, and 6 men of Mexican descent (18+ years old) in another community participated in one-on-one interviews to elicit information on the dynamics of intimate partner violence in these local cultures. Grounded theory will be used to examine the individual, social, cultural, and environmental factors that contribute to the incidence, acceptance, and prevention of intimate partner violence. Furthermore, the study will provide suggestions for the development of culturally appropriate interventions for the prevention of intimate partner violence.