Risk factors for domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic-a multi-country longitudinal survey

Abstract

Abstract Background A pressing public health issue exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic is domestic violence. The lockdowns harshened its major risk factors, such as financial strain, substance use, low social support, and also confined victims with their abusers. Cross-sectional studies confirm most of these associations, but longitudinal evidence is lacking. We investigate the association of domestic violence victimisation with these factors across the stages of the pandemic internationally and the characteristics linked with first vicitmisation in the pandemic. Methods We used four waves of an online survey of the adult general population of 14 countries in five continents in May 2020-May 2022 (N = 6051). Partner and child abuse were assessed with single items, sociodemographics and COVID-19 related data with Likert-type items, substance use and social support with validated scales. The Oxford Lockdown Stringency Index was used. Differences by onset of violence were tested with chi-squared, ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and the associations with mixed effects logistic regression. Results Results are preliminary. Survivors with onset of violence before and during the pandemic were quite similar and differed from those not victimised in financial strain and social support. Social support (OR .83 CI .76-.91), employment status, especially unemployed (OR 5.24 CI 1.98-13.87), and polysubstance abuse (OR 2.22 CI 1.25-3.95) significantly predicted violence across time controlled for demographics. Lockdown stringency had no significant effect (OR 1.0 CI .98-1.01). Conclusions The findings are in line with the literature and clarify that the most robust financial strain proxy across time is unemployment. Pre-existing demographic, economic and health-related vulnerabilities remain impactful across countries and individuals, so screening by healthcare providers for victimisation should be targeted and policies should focus on maintaining financial stability, particularly in the long run. Key messages • The socio-economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic are more impactful than confinement on the long-term risk of domestic violence internationally. • Cases of domestic violence with onset during the pandemic show similar socio-economic vulnerabilities as those with onset before.