Cultural dimensions of immigrant teen dating violence: A qualitative metasynthesis

Abstract

Teen dating violence (TDV) is one of the main socio-health and educational problems during adolescence. Although there are several international surveys and indicators that provide different figures of victimisation and the perpetration of violence among immigrant and indigenous adolescents, there are few studies that delve into the characteristics and cultural dimensions of dating violence in these groups. The purpose of this review is to bring together and interpret the qualitative studies on TDV among immigrant adolescents that have been developed in the last 10 years to review the associated cultural aspects. For this purpose, six electronic databases and specialised research journals were searched. Only 10 qualitative studies met the selection criteria, of which 3 analysed young Asians and 7 analysed Latinos in English-speaking countries (9 in the US and 1 in New Zealand). The thematic analysis approach was used to cross-culturally compare and interpret the findings of the studies. The results show differences in the conception of dating, love and violence among adolescents of Asian, Latin and Western origin. A different weight is observed in institutions that reproduce intimate partner violence according to different family models, gender roles and axiological-normative systems (the shame-honour system and honour-based violence). Finally, cultural differences in the impact of migrations are analysed according to the type of society of origin and destination, the levels of acculturation and generational status. These dimensions should be considered when designing TDV prevention programmes for multicultural contexts or when focusing on immigrant groups.