The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61233

Cari Jo Clark, MPH, Population and International Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, 617/432-2253, cjclark@hsph.harvard.edu

Spurred by the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo and the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing (UN 1994; UN 1995), some countries have increased efforts to examine gender-based violence (GBV). Other countries, however, such as Jordan, still face a paucity of data on domestic violence, one of the most pervasive forms of GBV experienced by women (García-Moreno 2002). This study will use focus group discussions with women of various income and educational backgrounds to identify factors that are associated with domestic violence against women in Jordan. These focus group discussions will also be used to examine the relevance to the Jordanian context of factors identified in the domestic violence literature. This data will be analyzed using two main approaches. The first approach is the generation of theory using a grounded theory approach (Glaser and Strauss 1967). This approach is geared toward the development of explanations of the occurrence of domestic violence that are particularly salient to the Jordanian context. The second approach is the verification of previously established relationships between factors and domestic violence. The transcripts will be purposefully coded, searching specifically for evidence both in favor and against the relationships that have been shown in the literature to be associated with domestic violence. The results will be used to understand the mechanisms that link the identified factors to domestic violence, necessary information for effective intervention. The results will also be used to refine the content and delivery of an upcoming survey planned for Amman.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Identify risk and protective factors associated with domestic violence against women in Amman, Jordan.
  6. Assess the congruence of factors associated with domestic violence in Amman, Jordan with those found in the domestic violence literature.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Risk Factors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.