Psychological impact of wife abuse: Experiences of Chinese women and their children

Abstract

The present study explored the impact of wife abuse on the general and psychological well-being of Chinese women and their children in Hong Kong. Results indicated that both verbal and physical wife abuse were related to negative effects of the women and their children. Husbands' abusive behavior toward their wives and children was associated with children's aggressive behavior. Comparisons among the shelter, discordant, and intact groups showed that women of the shelter group experienced the most abuse by their husbands and were the most depressed and anxious. Women of the shelter and discordant groups experienced higher levels of general distress than did the intact group. Compared to children of the discordant and intact groups, children of the shelter group witnessed more interparental violence and experienced more abuse by their fathers. Limitations and research implications of the study also are discussed.