Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) involves physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression. IPV affects men and women across the United States with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 15.8% of women and 9.5% of men for sexual violence, 23.3% of women and 14.0% of men for physical violence, 9.2% of women and 2.4% of men for stalking, and 48.4% of women and 48.8% of men for psychologically aggressive behavior. Negative impacts that are associated with Chinese women who experienced IPV include somatization, medically unexplained physical symptoms, depression, suicide, and self-harm. Although there have been limited research found on the relationship between Mindfulness and/or Buddhism and IPV amongst Chinese women, it has been found that Mindfulness has been an effective coping strategy for IPV survivors amongst ethnic minorities, specifically meditation. Studies also found that Buddhism was associated with overall happiness, such as repenting, giving thanks, or praying daily. Limited research also suggest that religion is a positive coping mechanism utilized by Chinese men and women for other forms of trauma, specifically natural disasters. Although research suggests that Chinese Americans utilize religion as a coping mechanism for other forms of trauma, research regarding Mindfulness and/or Buddhism as a coping mechanism for Chinese women survivors of IPV appears to be under-investigated. Six Chinese American survivors were interviewed for the present study to examine the usefulness of Mindfulness and/or Buddhism as a coping mechanism in the recovery process of IPV. Through their stories, a preliminary model emerged that informed the way Chinese American IPV survivors utilized Mindfulness/Buddhism in their own recovery process.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Dissertations (PsyD) -- Psychology; Chinese American women -- Psychology; Abused women -- United States -- Psychology; Intimate partner violence -- Religious aspects; Mindfulness (Psychology) -- Case studies; Buddhism -- Psychology
Date of Award
2019
School Affiliation
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Department/Program
Psychology
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Bryant-Davis, Thema;
Recommended Citation
Yeh, Teresa, "The role of mindfulness and Buddhism in the recovery process of Chinese American survivors of intimate partner abuse" (2019). Theses and Dissertations. 1090.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1090