Theoretical Perspectives for Understanding Marital Abuse among Korean Immigrant Women in the United States

Ecological theory and symbolic interaction theory have anchored the research on Korean immigrant women’s experience of marital abuse and post-divorce adjustment. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model is useful in studying Korean immigrants’ experience of marital abuse. It posited four sub-systems: society, community, relationship and individual. At the societal level which represents cultural norm, patriarchy, masculine aggression, and acceptance of interpersonal violence are important factors understanding dynamics of marital abuse in Korean immigrant families. At the community level, institutions and social structure, immigration related stressors, low socioeconomic status, lack of formal services, and isolation are associated with marital abuse. At the relationship level, male control in decision making, marital conflict, and obligation to children are factors. At the individual level, gender identity, self-esteem, language barriers, and husband’s use of alcohol are factors associated with marital abuse. According to symbolic interactionists, a woman’s definition of the situation is a key to understand her actions and responses within the context of an abusive relationship. Based on this approach, researchers analyze women’s identity negotiation and discourses as inherently active self. Grounded in these theoretical conceptual frameworks, this paper discusses the experience of marital abuse and post-divorce adjustment among Korean immigrant women in the United States and offer suggestions for family policy makers for this population.