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Factors of Child Physical Abuse in Korean Immigrant Families

NCJ Number
205502
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal Volume: 25 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 945-958
Author(s)
Myung Sook Park
Date Published
July 2001
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study explored Korean immigrant mothers’ attitudes toward child physical abuse from an ecological perspective.
Abstract
Previous research has established that a parent’s attitude toward child physical abuse can be an important predictor of child physical abuse. Specifically, parents who express attitudes supporting physical punishment of children are more likely to abuse their children than parents who express opposition to physical punishment. Gathering culturally relevant and sensitive data on child rearing practices is crucial as different cultures have different child rearing practices that may be misunderstood by the dominant cultural group. Few studies have examined cultural patters in child rearing and discipline and child abuse among Korean immigrants. A sample of 145 first generation Korean immigrant mothers with at least 1 child under the age of 18 participated in the study. A questionnaire gathered information about descriptive data and mothers’ attitudes toward child physical abuse. Results of statistical analyses underscore issues of cultural diversity in child rearing practices, especially regarding physical punishment. Generally, participants expressed disapproval toward physical abuse but indicated positive attitudes about physical punishment as a disciplinary technique in specific situations. Mothers who spend more time with their children and have a higher educational attainment are more likely to express negative attitudes about abusive behaviors toward children. At the micro level, the variables affecting Korean mothers’ attitudes toward child physical abuse were: amount of time spent with children, experience of corporal punishment as a child, children’s gender and age, family acculturation conflicts, mothers’ age, and length of time spent living in the United States. At the meso level, variables included mothers’ involvement in their children’s school and involvement in social organizations. Exo level variables impacting mothers’ attitudes toward child physical abuse were level of education and stress involved with immigrant life. Finally, at the macro level, significant variables were value of children in Korean culture, familiarity with Child Protective Services, perceived degree of discrimination, and value placed on corporal punishment. Implications for policy emerging from the findings include the targeting of intervention efforts on more than one level of the environment and the importance of cultural sensitivity in social work practice. Tables, figures, references

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