Trauma, Masculinity and Family and Domestic Violence

This book provides a comprehensive, research-driven exploration of how trauma, cultural expectations of masculinity, and family and domestic violence (FDV) intersect in the lives of African men from refugee backgrounds in Western Australia. It is distinctive in its use of a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research to capture the complexity of these men’s lived experiences. Unlike most studies that focus solely on trauma or FDV within African communities, this work critically examines how pre-migration trauma, acculturation stress, and shifting masculinities contribute to FDV—a perspective that has been largely overlooked in existing literature. Additionally, the book challenges stereotypical narratives that frame refugee men solely as perpetrators of violence. Instead, it situates FDV within a broader socio-cultural and systemic framework, considering the impact of war trauma, economic stressors, mental health challenges, and support systems on men's behaviours and relationships.