Sociodemographic Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion among Arab American Women in Dearborn, MI
Yasamin Kusunoki1, Angubeen Khan2, Jennifer Cruz1, Layla Elabed3, Mona Makki3, Madiha Tariq3
1University of Michigan, 2UCLA, 3ACCESS
Prior studies report sociodemographic factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion (RC) in racial and ethnic minority populations. However, little is known about these relationships among Arab Americans. This study examines IPV and RC prevalence among Arab American women. Data was collected from a convenience sample of Arab American women (ages 18-65) in Dearborn, Michigan (n=99) through a cross-sectional needs assessment survey using self-reported sociodemographic, IPV, and RC measures. Logistic regressions were used to estimate associations between sociodemographic characteristics of the sample (age, nativity, educational attainment, receiving public assistance, and marital status) and eight forms of IPV and three dimensions of RC. Nearly 60% of the sample had ever experienced IPV. Among women who had ever had sex (n=77), 44% had experienced RC. Older age, lower educational attainment, and public assistance were associated with greater risk of IPV and RC.