Factors Influencing Formal and Informal Help-Seeking Behavior Among Battered Chinese Women in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen

TL;DR

This study explores what influences battered Chinese women to seek formal or informal help in major cities, highlighting the role of violence severity, social support, and gender equality awareness.

Contribution

The study distinguishes between formal and informal help-seeking and identifies specific factors influencing each in the context of Chinese cultural and structural barriers.

Findings

Greater violence severity, social support, and gender equality awareness increase both formal and informal help-seeking.

Living with children is linked to a higher likelihood of seeking formal help.

Structural and cultural barriers persist despite rising help-seeking behavior.

Abstract

This study investigates how demographic characteristics, severity of intimate partner violence (IPV), social support, gender equality awareness, and demographic factors (e.g., living with children at home) influence help-seeking behaviors among 2527 IPV-experienced women in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Drawing on the help-seeking model and conservation of resource theory, the study distinguishes between formal (e.g., police, legal aid) and informal (e.g., family, friends) help-seeking. Logistic regression results reveal that greater violence severity, stronger perceived social support, and higher gender equality awareness significantly increase both formal and informal help-seeking. Notably, living with children is associated with a higher likelihood of seeking formal help, possibly due to increased concerns for children’s safety and the desire to change the abusive environment. While help-seeking behavior is on the rise overall, particularly among women with strong support networks and progressive gender attitudes, structural and cultural barriers remain. The findings underscore the need to improve public education, reduce stigma, and enhance accessibility of support systems. This study contributes to the growing literature on IPV in China and provides evidence for refining policy interventions and service delivery.