Western research on families of Arab descent has increased in the current decade, compared to the previous 30 years. In this review of 256 empirical articles, through a critical postcolonial lens, domestic violence and family planning were the two most established areas of study. Generally, samples have come from a small group of countries such as Israel and Egypt, using primarily quantitative methodology. Theoretical development is limited in scope. Recommendations include a research agenda that is grounded in interdisciplinary and cross-national family theory and is informed by the perspectives of multiple family members.
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