While researchers have been examining the problem of IPV since the 1970s, little is known about the experiences of IPV within immigrant Latino communities. The current study focused on the perceptions of Latina women regarding the factors influencing the quality of relationships in the immigrant Latino community, their definition and knowledge of IPV, and their experiences of IPV. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with eight first-generation Mexican immigrant women who had lived in the United States between 2 and 13 years. Analysis of the data was accomplished via a combination of deductive and inductive strategies that involved the identification and categorization of concepts. Results showed that Latinas were not only knowledgeable about IPV, but also perceived the poor quality of intimate relationships and the prevalence of IPV in their community. Among the factors identified as impacting intimate relationships within Latino communities and leading to IPV was the gender disparity that pervades Latino cultures. The findings suggest that violence intervention efforts should focus on the underlying environmental and cultural elements that enable IPV in Latino communities. The small sample size of the current study invites future research with expanded Latino samples. References