Examines whether physical abuse of children is prevalent in the Vietnamese refugee community and discusses the implications for resettlement and acculturation. In a small pilot project in the St. Louis metropolitan area, refugee parents were interviewed to elicit information about their experiences in the United States and their view of childrearing in the host country; children were asked about school, friendships, family relationships, and the discipline used by their parents. Survey instruments also employed were the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI), the Conflict Tactics Scale, and the Basic English Skills Test. Mixed results point to the need for further examination. The interviews revealed inconsistencies between parental self-reporting and children’s responses and also the findings of the survey instruments. These contradictions suggested that inventories, such as the CAPI, are preferable to self-reporting. Adjustment to resettlement is a long, complicated process. Social service providers need to be aware of the potential for family violence, especially among refugees who have not sought assistance or who are unsuccessful in making the transition to a new culture and society. Increased acceptance and sensitivity, coupled with outreach programs, may help these refugees handle the challenges they face. (69 references)
