Correlation between in-law conflict and intimate partner violence (IPV): prevalence and risk factors

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Under the influence of patriarchal authority and Confucius filial piety in Chinese culture, the relationships between a nuclear family and their in-laws are expected to be close. With close and frequent interactions, conflict between a daughter- and mother-in-law seems to be a common phenomenon in Chinese families. This presentation will examine the pattern of in-law conflict in Chinese families and to investigate its association with intimate partner violence (IPV). METHOD: This study will use the data from the household survey conducted in Hong Kong. A total of about 2,500 parents or guardians of children aged 0–17 drawn from large representative households in Hong Kong will be interviewed face-to-face by trained interviewers. A newly developed measure on in-law conflict and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales are employed to measure in-law conflict and IPV. RESULTS: Prevalence rates of in-law conflict and IPV will be computed and compared in terms of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. The association between in-law conflict and IPV will be tested using multiple logistic regression. Conclusion. The influence of Chinese culture on in-law conflict and its association with IPV will be discussed. The implications of the study for the prevention of and interventions in domestic violence as well as future research will be addressed.