{"title":"Social networks and help-seeking among Korean immigrant intimate partner violence survivors","authors":"Jeongsuk Kim, Chunrye Kim","doi":"10.1111/fare.13138","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n \n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Objective</h3>\n \n <p>This study investigated help-seeking behaviors among Korean immigrant women facing intimate partner violence (IPV) and examined how their social networks influence the help-seeking process.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Background</h3>\n \n <p>Although existing research highlights the role of social networks in supporting IPV survivors, limited studies explore how these networks specifically impact Korean immigrant women's help-seeking experiences.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Method</h3>\n \n <p>We conducted in-depth interviews with 16 Korean immigrant women who self-identified as IPV survivors. Interviews occurred either in person at our New York office or via online or phone interviews. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Results</h3>\n \n <p>Two primary themes emerged regarding Korean immigrants' help-seeking behavior in IPV situations: (a) passive help-seeking within interpersonal networks and (b) active help-seeking through ethnic-based online networks. Korean women tended to avoid disclosing IPV and seeking help from family or local church members. Instead, they often preferred to seek anonymous support through ethnic-based online platforms.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Conclusions</h3>\n \n <p>Existing interpersonal networks were rarely used as a route for seeking help, primarily due to cultural norms and stigma. However, online Korean communities emerged as a meaningful resource, facilitating connections with others facing similar challenges and providing anonymous support.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Implications</h3>\n \n <p>To facilitate IPV disclosure and better support abused Korean immigrants, we should promote and enhance online platforms that offer confidential emotional support, information, and resources.</p>\n </section>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":48206,"journal":{"name":"Family Relations","volume":"74 2","pages":"692-706"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Family Relations","FirstCategoryId":"90","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.13138","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"FAMILY STUDIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
Social networks and help-seeking among Korean immigrant intimate partner violence survivors
Objective
This study investigated help-seeking behaviors among Korean immigrant women facing intimate partner violence (IPV) and examined how their social networks influence the help-seeking process.
Background
Although existing research highlights the role of social networks in supporting IPV survivors, limited studies explore how these networks specifically impact Korean immigrant women's help-seeking experiences.
Method
We conducted in-depth interviews with 16 Korean immigrant women who self-identified as IPV survivors. Interviews occurred either in person at our New York office or via online or phone interviews. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis.
Results
Two primary themes emerged regarding Korean immigrants' help-seeking behavior in IPV situations: (a) passive help-seeking within interpersonal networks and (b) active help-seeking through ethnic-based online networks. Korean women tended to avoid disclosing IPV and seeking help from family or local church members. Instead, they often preferred to seek anonymous support through ethnic-based online platforms.
Conclusions
Existing interpersonal networks were rarely used as a route for seeking help, primarily due to cultural norms and stigma. However, online Korean communities emerged as a meaningful resource, facilitating connections with others facing similar challenges and providing anonymous support.
Implications
To facilitate IPV disclosure and better support abused Korean immigrants, we should promote and enhance online platforms that offer confidential emotional support, information, and resources.
期刊介绍:
A premier, applied journal of family studies, Family Relations is mandatory reading for family scholars and all professionals who work with families, including: family practitioners, educators, marriage and family therapists, researchers, and social policy specialists. The journal"s content emphasizes family research with implications for intervention, education, and public policy, always publishing original, innovative and interdisciplinary works with specific recommendations for practice.