The impact of gender role ideology, male expectancies, and acculturation on wife abuse.

Hispanics are now receiving greater attention in social science research as one of the nation’s most rapidly growing ethnic groups. One important component related to these studies focuses on the process of Latino/a integration into the economy and social assimilation into the society at large. Explanations and techniques for understanding migratory and social adaptation experiences for Latinos/as were analogous to those used to interpret earlier waves of immigrants to the United States. There are important differences in cultural orientation and culturally influenced behaviors which are reflected in higher rates of divorce, mental illness, substance use, and arrests among U.S.-born Latinos, and among immigrants who have extended residency in the United States. One important domain, which may be influenced by these changes, is the family: its structure and functional dynamics. Of special interest is the influence of culture change on interpersonal behaviors of family members; included among those behaviors are various forms of spousal abuse. Studies have reported, alternately, higher or lower rates of wife abuse among Latino/a families compared to Anglo families (Lown & Vega, 2001; Perilla, Bakeman, & Norris, 1994; Sorenson, 1996; Sorenson & Telles, 1991; Straus & Smith, 1990; Torres, 1991). Based on data from San Francisco residents, Russell (1986) found no difference in the incidence of sexual abuse among Mexican Americans, African Americans, and non-Hispanic whites. On the other hand, Kercher and McShane (1984) analyzed data from Texas residents and found a higher rate of victimization compared to non-Hispanic whites and African Americans. Stein,