Alternate Title

Family, gender role beliefs and dating

Advisor(s)

William Sanchez

Contributor(s)

Mary B. Ballou, Tracy L. Robinson

Date of Award

2008

Date Accepted

12-2008

Degree Grantor

Northeastern University

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department or Academic Unit

Bouvé College of Health Sciences. Department of Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology.

Keywords

Counseling psychology, Clinical psychology, Women's studies

Subject Categories

Hispanic American women--Case studies, Sex role--Case studies, Victims of family violence

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Using a feminist multicultural approach, this qualitative study explored eight Latina young women's experiences with witnessing domestic violence among caregivers, family dynamics, dating experiences, and development of gender role beliefs. A focus group of staff women from an adolescent mothers' domestic violence shelter was used to further illustrate, in their roles as witnesses and facilitators to healing, the young women's experiences of negotiating multiple identities. Five central themes were found that illustrated the young women's journey in self-discovery as they attempted to make sense of the violence they witnessed and/or experienced in their relationships. The findings suggested that the young women often received mixed cultural messages from their families about their gender roles within multiple relationships. Also it was found that the young women greatly benefited from positive relationships with female role models (i.e.,. mother, program provider) who guided them through the process of constructing their identities as Latinas. In conclusion, the implications for clinical interventions and further research are discussed.

Document Type

Dissertation

Rights Holder

Anna L. Villavicencio


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