Acculturation and Dating Violence Victimization Among Filipino and Samoan Youths

Abstract

Dating violence victimization is an important public health issue. Recent studies on minority youths have found higher risks of dating violence victimization compared to White youths. This study examined the influence of acculturation components on youths’ experiences of dating violence by utilizing data from a survey of 193 Samoan and Filipino youths in Hawai‘i. We found that parental role (punishment) and gender roles (appearance, female empowerment) were associated with verbal abuse dating violence victimization. We found that gender role (appearance) and ethnic identity (out-group orientation) were associated with controlling dating violence victimization. Ethnic identity (i.e., ethnic identity achievement = having strong commitment to own ethnicity) was a protective factor for controlling dating violence victimization. Parental roles may mediate gender role attitudes and ethnic identity in immigrant youths. This highlights the need for culturally tailored dating violence prevention and intervention efforts for youths and their families.