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Place of Origin and Violent Disagreement Among Asian American Families: Analysis Across Five States

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Abstract

We examined the prevalence of and factors associated with violent and heated disagreements in the Asian American families, with an emphasis on place of birth differences between parent and child. Data were obtained from the 2003 National Survey of Children’s Health, limited to five states with the highest concentration of Asian-Americans (n = 793). Multivariable analysis used generalized logistic regression models with a three-level outcome, violent and heated disagreement versus calm discussion. Violent disagreements were reported in 13.7% of Asian-American homes and 9.9% of white homes. Differential parent–child place of birth was associated with increased odds for heated disagreement in Asian-American families. Parenting stress increased the likelihood of violent disagreements in both Asian-American and white families. Asian-American families are not immune to potential family violence. Reducing parenting stress and intervening in culturally appropriate ways to reduce generation differences should be violence prevention priorities.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by Grant No. 6 U1C RH 00045-01 from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, and by Grant No. CMU97-306 from China Medical University, Taiwan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department and Graduate Institute of Health Services Administration, China Medical University, No.91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan

    Jong-Yi Wang

  2. South Carolina Rural Health Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 220 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 204, Columbia, SC, 29210, USA

    Jong-Yi Wang, Janice C. Probst & Amy B. Martin

  3. Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Meyran Avenue, Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Charity G. Moore

  4. School of Medicine, Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of South Carolina, 3209 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC, 29203, USA

    Kevin J. Bennett

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  1. Jong-Yi Wang
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  2. Janice C. Probst
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  3. Charity G. Moore
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  4. Amy B. Martin
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Correspondence to Jong-Yi Wang.

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Wang, JY., Probst, J.C., Moore, C.G. et al. Place of Origin and Violent Disagreement Among Asian American Families: Analysis Across Five States. J Immigrant Minority Health 13, 635–646 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-010-9398-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-010-9398-5

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