Reflections on attitudes, experiences, and vulnerability of intimate partner violence among Southeast Asian college women living in United States

• Intimate partner violence is a complex dynamic and occurs like a cycle.
• Willingness to intervene violence is found when close family members are affected.
• Women tend not to perceive forced sexual acts perpetrated by husbands as violence.
• Societal and cultural factors contribute to women's vulnerability of violence.
• To prevent violence, men perpetrating violence are accountable for their actions.

To provide culturally sensitive intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention programs for ethnic groups, a basic foundational understanding of Southeast Asian (SEA) women living in the United States is vital. The purpose of this study was to describe SEA college women's perceptions of IPV and how the women recognize their vulnerability to such violent situations. Qualitative methods using focus group discussions were employed to elicit participants’ perceptions. Participants included 18 SEA college women, ages 18–34 (Mean = 22; SD = 7.22). Transcriptions were analyzed using a content analysis approach. Five themes emerged: recognition of IPV; perception of individual vulnerability to IPV; experience and responses to IPV; help seeking and support system; and strategies used for prevention of IPV. Findings yielded an understanding of intertwined issues of cultural norms associated with IPV, social and economic disparities, and challenges for IPV prevention in SEA communities. Culturally sensitive prevention programs will be more effective by reforming cultural values, while at the same time promoting non-violent relationships and increasing access to services.