This qualitative description study described the cultural script of intimate partner violence (IPV) among Japanese couples who were in a heterosexual marriage and lived with their spouses when IPV occurred. The semi-structured interview guide elicited information on four components of IPV cultural script: situations, behaviors, communication styles, and factors maintaining IPV. The conceptual framework for the Japanese cultural script of IPV (See Appendix B) was developed by integrating three ecological models: the Oppression Dynamics Model (Amaro, 1995; Amaro & Raj, 2000), the Model of Male Stalking (White, Kowalski, Lyndon, & Valentine, 2000), and the Self-Construal Model (Markus & Kitayama, 1991; Hazel Rose Markus & Shinobu Kitayama, 1992a) with a focus on interpersonal, sociocultural and intrapersonal aspects of cultural factors maintaining IPV.

A convenience sample of 11 Japanese women who had experienced IPV as victims constituted the sample. Most of women experienced physical abuse (PA), emotional abuse (EA), and sexual abuses (SA). The IPV behaviors were characterized by the cyclical pattern described by Walker. Three shared cultural beliefs that are likely to support and maintain IPV among Japanese were: a wife belongs to the husband, the role of the wife is not viewed as important or significant, and wives (women) cause IPV.

The results indicated that community-based educational interventions are needed for professionals as well as for lay individuals. Promoting beliefs about marital relationships based on gender equality could he one way to reduce IPV through education targeting school-aged children, teenagers, and young adult. In addition, interventions can include crisis intervention, outreach, legal assistance, case management, and counseling. This study recognized the cultural beliefs that are likely to support IPV among Japanese couples from the woman's perspective. More research needs to include the viewpoints of male perpetrators and Family members. This information will greatly contribute to the development of effective prevention and intervention program for IPV in Japan.