What causes the family violence? “Family violence cannot be explained by a single factor and that it is a multi-factorial phenomenon” (Gilbert, 1994).

What causes the family violence? i. Individual factor ii. Family factor iii. Power & control factor iv. Social cultural factor

i. Individual factor Caused by mental illness Using alcohol & drugs  Cannot control abusers behavior Personality disorders Stressful events Due to the behavior of the victim

ii. Family Factor Unhappy childhood experiences  Violence by parents Deviant marital relationships  A problem in the marriage relationship Learn violent behavior from others  E.g. family, friends and media  There is evidence that violence between parents affect the children in a family.

ii. Family Factor  It is suggested that such children learn aversive behavior as a general style for controlling their social and physical environments, and that this style continues into adulthood.

iii. Power and control factor To control one another Maintain ruling roles in family Low self-esteem Feel inferior to another  E.g. education level, high income

iv. Social cultural factor Traditional belief  e.g. Chinese society  Male dominated social order and family structure Not willing to tell others