Table 3.

Individual Interview Guide Intimate Partner Violence: Cultural Perceptions

The Interviewer will make a brief statement clarifying that the focus of the discussion is IPV and does not include other forms of domestic violence such as elder abuse or child abuse.

1. Perceptions: How do you understand IPV as an individual? Where did this understanding come from?

The following questions will be asked to elicit discussion about this category:

1a. Tell me about IPV? How do you understand this? [Cues to be covered: When does abuse become abuse? Physical injury, isolation, intimidation (when he looks at you and you're absolutely terrified)].

1b. What about your partner? How do you think your partner understands IPV?

1c. What does your family think about IPV?

2. Responses: How have you responded to IPV? How has your family responded?

The following questions will be asked to elicit discussion about this category:

2a. How did you deal with IPV? Did you talk with anyone?

2b. How about your family - what did they say or do?

3. Needs, Satisfaction, and Access: What did you need from the health provider/community? Did you get it?

3a. Was there support (outside of your family) that you needed?

3b. What was it? Was it helpful to you? [Cues to be covered: What health/social services did you need? Were they available? What services have you used? Did they work for you?]

4. Reasons women may or may not have disclosed: Did you talk with your doctor or nurse about IPV? If not, how come? If yes, why did you decide to talk about this?

4a. Did he/she ask you questions about IPV or did you just tell them? What was this like for you? [Cues to be covered: Tell me all your thoughts and feelings of what it's been like for you and how you've reacted when you were in a situation where you could have reported the IPV.]

5. Influence of specific elements of culture regarding IPV.

5a. Tell me about…(the following topics will be individually introduced: cultural protective systems, spiritual and religious practices, family rituals, gender roles, art and music, and the roles of individuals and groups related to IPV).

These questions were adapted from a study conducted in Seattle, reported by Senturia, K., Sullivan, M., Ciske, S., & Shiu-Thornton, S. (2000). Cultural Issues Affecting Domestic Violence Service Utilization in Ethnic and Hard to Reach Populations. http://www.metrokc.gov/health/dvreport.htm.