Milken Institute School of Public Health Poster Presentations (Marvin Center & Video)
Childhood Violence, Adult Relationship Violence, and Adult Health Outcomes Among South Asian Women in the U.S.
Poster Number
95
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
3-2016
Abstract
Background/Significance: The devastating effects of experiencing violence in childhood are seen well into adulthood. This has been particularly difficult to assess among South Asians (SAs) living in the US due to a lack of race-specific data.
Objective/Purpose: A cross-sectional study of SA adult women living in the US was conducted to better understand the relationship between childhood exposure to violence, and gender-based violence and health behaviors in adulthood.
Methods: A quantitative survey with over 500 SA women living in the US measured socio-demographics, exposure to violence as a child (verbal, sexual and physical), adult relationship violence, suicide, body esteem, and subjective well-being. Multiple logistic and linear regression models examined whether childhood violence was associated with suicide ideation and attempt; adult intimate partner violence; body esteem and subjective wellbeing. All models adjusted for age, household income, country of origin, and acculturation.
Results:The models on suicide ideation and attempt, yielded significant findings for childhood verbal abuse (OR 5.22; 95% CI 3.06 – 8.91 and OR 4.91; 95% CI 2.34 – 10.32, respectively); childhood physical abuse (OR 3.71; 95% CI 1.56 – 8.79 and OR 5.18; 95% CI 1.96 – 13.67, respectively); sexual abuse (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.33 – 3.55 and OR 4.36; 95% CI 2.04 – 9.34, respectively); and having a battered mother (OR 2.12; 95% CI 1.21 – 3.72 and OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.22 – 5.81, respectively). Significant associations were found between childhood verbal abuse and body esteem (β = -0.18, p
Discussion/Conclusions: To date, this is the first study to examine childhood violence and its relationship to adult violence and health among South Asian women in the U.S..
Creative Commons License
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Open Access
1
Childhood Violence, Adult Relationship Violence, and Adult Health Outcomes Among South Asian Women in the U.S.
Background/Significance: The devastating effects of experiencing violence in childhood are seen well into adulthood. This has been particularly difficult to assess among South Asians (SAs) living in the US due to a lack of race-specific data.
Objective/Purpose: A cross-sectional study of SA adult women living in the US was conducted to better understand the relationship between childhood exposure to violence, and gender-based violence and health behaviors in adulthood.
Methods: A quantitative survey with over 500 SA women living in the US measured socio-demographics, exposure to violence as a child (verbal, sexual and physical), adult relationship violence, suicide, body esteem, and subjective well-being. Multiple logistic and linear regression models examined whether childhood violence was associated with suicide ideation and attempt; adult intimate partner violence; body esteem and subjective wellbeing. All models adjusted for age, household income, country of origin, and acculturation.
Results:The models on suicide ideation and attempt, yielded significant findings for childhood verbal abuse (OR 5.22; 95% CI 3.06 – 8.91 and OR 4.91; 95% CI 2.34 – 10.32, respectively); childhood physical abuse (OR 3.71; 95% CI 1.56 – 8.79 and OR 5.18; 95% CI 1.96 – 13.67, respectively); sexual abuse (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.33 – 3.55 and OR 4.36; 95% CI 2.04 – 9.34, respectively); and having a battered mother (OR 2.12; 95% CI 1.21 – 3.72 and OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.22 – 5.81, respectively). Significant associations were found between childhood verbal abuse and body esteem (β = -0.18, p
Discussion/Conclusions: To date, this is the first study to examine childhood violence and its relationship to adult violence and health among South Asian women in the U.S..
Comments
Presented at: GW Research Days 2016
Winner of the People's Choice Award
Mentor: Amita N. Vyas
Department: Prevention & Community Health