A comparison of wife abuse between two cultures: perceptions, attitudes, nature, and extent

The purpose of this study was to explore the similarities and differences between Anglo-American and Mexican-American battered women. This descriptive study compared a group of 25 Anglo-American and 25 Mexican-American women over age 18 who had been physically abused by their husbands at least two times and had resided in shelters for battered women. This study addressed the nature, severity, and frequency of wife abuse; women's perception of what they consider wife abuse; and their attitudes toward wife abuse. Respondents were matched for age and socioeconomic status. Data were collected through personal interviews, using a semistructured interview schedule consisting of three instruments. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Comparisons between the two groups were done using t test and chi-square procedures. A Type I error probability level of less than .05 was used to determine statistical significance. Results showed that there were more similarities than differences in the manifestation of wife abuse between the two groups. However, Anglo-American women perceived more types of behavior as being abusive and exhibited a less tolerant attitude toward wife abuse than did Mexican-American women. The t test results indicated no significant difference in the severity and frequency of wife abuse between Anglo-Americans and Mexican-Americans.