Group Work with

Latina Immigrant Women

Keyla Stephens

CNS 742

Fall 2013

Working with Latin Americans, considerations…

Among the largest immigrant groups -15% (Molina et al., 2009)

Four major subgroups: Mexican American, Central & South American, Puerto Rican, & Cuban American (Gladding, 2012)

Shared values include: importance of family, interdependence and cooperation, individual worth and dignity, and acceptance of life as it exists (Gladding, 2012)

Differences include: language, religious rituals, and celebrations (Gladding, 2012)

Benefits of Support Groups for Latina Women Survivors of Domestic Violence

Social support

Ability to speak

Mutuality

Bonding

Strength-based focus

Divorcing Abused Latina Immigrant Women’s Experiences with Domestic

Violence Support Groups

2009 study by Molina, Lawrence, Azhar-Miller, and Rivera

High prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among US Latinos (Molina et al., 2009)

Separation from family support system

Isolation and dependency

Topics

Cycle of violencePower and controlSurvivor’s rights and the

legal systemSelf-esteemAbuser behaviorEffects on childrenAdjusting to living in the

U.S.

Member strengths and obstacles

Taking responsibilityLiving without the partnerPreparation for court Becoming independentWays of coping with

divorce

Conclusion

Group work with Latina immigrant women can be beneficial and effective in transforming their thinking.

References

Gladding, S. T. (2012). Groups: A counseling specialty (6th ed.). Upper

Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Molina, O., Lawrence, S. A., Azhar-Miller, A., & Rivera, M. (2009).

Divorcing abused Latina immigrant women’s experiences with domestic violence support groups. Journal of Divorce &

Remarriage, 50:7, 459-471. DOI:10.1080/10502550902970561