Alianza: Publications: Annotated Bibliography

National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence

Annotated Bibliography

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Davies, C., DiLillo, D., & Martinez, I. (2004). Isolating adult psychological correlates of witnessing parental violence: Findings from a predominantly Latina sample. Journal of Family Violence, 6(19), 377-385.
Language: English

The authors examined the relationship between childhood exposure to parental violence and adult psychological functioning in a sample of predominantly Mexican American female undergraduate participants (N=142). Findings revealed that witnessing parental violence in childhood was associated with depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, and trauma symptoms in adulthood, even after controlling for child physical and sexual abuse. However, in subsequent analyses, also controlling for levels of nonphysical family conflict, previous associations between exposure to parental violence and adult symptomatology were reduced, such that trauma-related symptoms remained the sole outcome still predicted by a history of witnessing parental violence. One of the limitations of the study is the retrospective nature of data collection (participants may provide inaccurate information about childhood events). Also, because participants were female undergraduate students, the findings may not be generalized to males and a broader Mexican American population.

Davila, Yolanda R., Brackley, Margaret H., (1999). Mexican and Mexican American women in a battered women’s shelter: Barriers to condom negotiation for HIV/AIDS prevention. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 20, 333-355.
Language: English

This study conducted with 14 Mexican and Mexican American women in a shelter for battered women concluded that abused women may not be a position to successfully initiate condom negotiation. Condom negotiation may increase their risk of both HIV/AIDS and abuse. For Mexican and Mexican American women the initiation of condom negotiation may be in direct conflict with cultural and gender norms. The authors suggest that these women need effective methods that are under the complete control of the women themselves.

Davis, R.C., Erez, E. (1998). Immigrant Populations as Victims: Toward a Multicultural Criminal Justice System. Research in Brief (pp.1-20). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.
Language: English

This publication summarizes a study that investigated whether the diverse cultural makeup of many communities requires the criminal justice system to modify its approach, particularly in handling recent immigrants. The study addressed a previously unexamined question–whether immigrant victims have a more difficult time than other victims in dealing with police and the courts because of differences in language, expectations, and treatment by officials. The consensus among officials who responded to the national survey and among the leaders of six ethnic communities whom researchers interviewed for this study is that many recent immigrants do indeed fail to report crimes. Many of the study participants saw this failure to report crimes as a serious problem, allowing criminals to go free and eroding the ability of the criminal justice system to function effectively. Cultural differences and ignorance of the U.S. justice system also discourage victims from coming to court. Respondents indicated that the language barrier poses no problem in communicating with officials, because interpreters often are available. However, they stated that immigrants have trouble understanding court proceedings conducted in English even when they are translated.

De Vidas, M.(1999). Childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence: A support group for Latino gay men and lesbians. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 10(2), 51-68.

This article describes the dynamics of a support group for Latino gay men and lesbians in New York. Latino gay men and lesbians face several levels of oppression due to their cultural and religious traditions. The author addresses issues such as problems with mixed groups with heterosexual and gay/lesbian members, and misconceptions in the Latino community about homosexuals. He emphasizes the importance of a facilitator to create a safe and supporting place for Latino gay men and lesbians. Participants in the support group were given an opportunity to discuss issues regarding their sexuality. During the support group two important topics emerged: childhood experiences of sexual abuse and domestic violence

Dimmitt, J. (1995). Rural Mexican-American and Non-Hispanic White Women: Effects of Abuse on Self-Concept. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 2(2), 54-63.
Language: English

This research arose from a clinical practice in a rural Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white community in Southwest Texas. The practice focused on individual and group counseling for these women in abusive relationships. Effects of type of abuse (physical, sexual, psychological) on self-concept were identified. Rural Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white women experiencing sexual abuse versus other forms of abuse were found to have significantly lower perceptions of competency on a multi-dimensional measure of self-concept. Ethnic differences in self-concept were also found between groups of abused, rural Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white women.

Dimmitt, J. (1996). Woman Abuse, Assimilation, and Self-Concept in a Rural Mexican American Community. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 18(4), 508-522.
Language: English

This article describes the effect of assimilation on self-concept and abuse in a rural, minority population of Mexican American women (aged 17-85 years). Ethnic language translations were developed to enable investigation with a rural, Spanish-speaking Mexican American population. Reassessment of reliability and validity of both English and Spanish translations of instrumentation for a rural population was also performed. Data were collected through convenience sampling from both rural battered women's shelters and rural community service centers. Significant differences were found between the 85 abused and the 84 non-abused women on dimensions of self-concept. Assimilation variables found to be significantly correlated with self-concept for abused and non-abused Mexican American women included language, attitudes toward traditional family structure, and values. Significant differences were found between abused and non-abused Mexican American women in attitudes toward traditional family structure and sex-role identification. ((c) 1997 APA/PsycINFO, all rights reserved).

Dimmitt, J. (1999). Effect of Abuse on Self-Perception of Rural Mexican-American and Non-Hispanic White Adolescents. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 13(1), 12-18.
Language: English

Developed a self-concept profile for 123 rural Mexican-American and 44 non-Hispanic White 13-18-yr-olds who have been physically, sexually, or psychologically abused. Students within a rural school district in the southwestern U.S. were administered the Adolescent Self-Perception Profile. The relevance of each self-concept domain to global self-worth was determined. Abused students reported significantly lower perceptions of Self-Worth, Scholastic Ability, and Behavioral Conduct than non-abused students. Differences were also found by ethnicity (Job Competence) and sex (Close Friendship, Athletic Ability). These results represent scientific, defensible reasons for related psychotherapeutic nursing interventions for adolescent abuse. This study proposed to refine the theoretical basis for interventions related to self-concept and woman abuse for rural Mexican American and non-Hispanic White adolescents. ((c) 1999 APA/PsycINFO, all rights reserved).

Douglas, C. A. (1990 May). Central American Women: Battered in the USA. Off Our Backs, 3 and 7.
Language: English

This magazine article presents an interview with a Hispanic woman who works at a rape and domestic violence program in Virginia. The article highlights the issues of isolation, increased responsibility, fear of deportation, language barriers and work challenges faced by many immigrant battered women in the USA.

Duarte, P. (1995). Sinfonía de una Ciudadana Inconclusa: El Maltrato Doméstico y la Ciudadanía [Symphony of an Unfinished Citizen: Domestic Abuse and Citizenship]. México, DF: COVAC Asociación Mexicana contra la Violencia hacia las Mujeres.
Language: Spanish

This book, written by one of the founders of the COVAC, The Mexican Association Against Violence Against Women, uses the analogy of a symphony and its component elements to explore the issue of domestic violence and citizenship. In addition to statistics and other data regarding the work of the organization, the author presents an analysis of different theories and conceptualizations regarding domestic violence. She brings into the discussion biological, social, economic, and political elements and points out the need to go beyond patriarchy to include both subjective and social characteristics of gender in order to understand the phenomenon more fully. She concludes by providing suggestions regarding potential ways in which transformation can happen.

Duarte, P. & González, G. (1994). La Lucha Contra la Violencia de Género en México: De Nairobi a Beijing [The Struggle Against Gender Violence in Mexico: From Nairobi to Beijing]. México, DF: COVAC, Asociación Mexicana Contra la Violencia Hacia Las Mujeres, A.C.
Language: Spanish

This book presents a historical review and analysis of the struggle against VAW in Mexico. The authors present a report of the current status of laws and sanctions against different types of violence, including rape, family violence, sexual abuse of minors, stalking, child and forced prostitution, AIDS and violence, male batterers, and the impact of the issue of domestic violence in academic circles. The book concludes with a vision of feminism as it addresses government services regarding VAW and provides statistics, resources, and a bibliography regarding this issue.

Dutton, M. A. (2000). Characteristics of help-seeking behaviors, resources and service needs of battered immigrant Latinas: Legal and policy implications. Georgetown Journal On Poverty Law & Policy, 7(2).
Language: English

The purpose of this study was to explore domestic violence and other conditions affecting the lives of undocumented and recently documented Latina women in Washington, DC. A total of 337 women participated. The sample was divided into four groups: physically and/or sexually abused, psychologically abused only, non-abused immigrants, and help-seeking group. The study concluded that many reforms are needed to make the legal, health care, and social services systems more responsive to the needs of battered immigrant women. Service provides must provide culturally sensitive services to battered immigrant women. Reforms are also needed to remove obstacles that prevent battered women’s access to Violence Against Women Act immigration relief and public benefits.

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For help please call:

The National
Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)

The New York State Spanish Domestic Violence Hotline:

Español:
1-800-942-6908

English:
1-800-942-6906