Change in IPV victimization during the pandemic.

ObjectivesThis study examines the 12-month prevalence rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, including psychological, physical, and sexual forms, in women and men. It also aims to identify changes in IPV victimization during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore factors associated with the occurrence of any IPV victimization during this period.MethodsData from the DREAMCORONA study in Germany collected from May 2020 to February 2021 included 737 participants, i.e., (expectant) mothers (64%) and fathers (36%). The Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2S) short form was used to assess the 12-month IPV victimization. Prevalence of IPV victimization as well as changes in IPV victimization during the pandemic were analyzed descriptively, with results stratified by sex. Multiple logistic regression was employed to identify risk factors for IPV.ResultsPsychological IPV was found to be the most prevalent form of violence, with the occurrence of any psychological IPV affecting 48.5% of women and 39.4% of men, while 2.6% of women and 3.3% of men reported the occurrence of any physical IPV victimization, and 2.8% of women and 1.5% of men reported the occurrence of any sexual IPV victimization. Of those who experienced the occurrence of any IPV in the last 12 months, 89.7% of women and 89.8% of men were victimized by one single act of violence. The majority of affected participants reported no change in psychological and physical IPV victimization during the pandemic. Nevertheless, for certain IPV behaviors on the psychological and physical IPV victimization subscales, both affected women and men also reported higher frequencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple logistic regression revealed that higher levels of relationship satisfaction were negatively associated with the occurrence of any IPV victimization for women and men, whereas greater levels of own anger-hostility symptoms were positively associated with the occurrence of any IPV victimization.ConclusionsPsychological IPV was present in almost every second (expectant) couple. The majority of affected women and men reported no change in their psychological and physical IPV victimization, suggesting that they continued to experience IPV during the pandemic. This underlines the importance of promoting healthier relationship dynamics, coping strategies, and emotional well-being to reduce the risk of IPV, even in times of crisis. Our study sheds light on the early stages of the pandemic and highlights the ongoing need for research into the temporal dynamics of IPV.研究目的 本研究旨在调查男女群体中亲密伴侣暴力（Intimate Partner Violence, IPV）受害情况的12个月患病率，涵盖心理、躯体及性暴力三类形式；同时探究新冠疫情（COVID-19）期间亲密伴侣暴力受害情况的变化，并分析此时期内各类亲密伴侣暴力受害发生的相关影响因素。 研究方法 本研究使用德国DREAMCORONA研究于2020年5月至2021年2月间收集的数据，共纳入737名研究参与者，其中（待产）母亲占64%、父亲占36%。采用修订版冲突策略量表简版（Revised Conflict Tactics Scale Short Form, CTS2S）评估12个月内的IPV受害情况。对IPV受害患病率及疫情期间的受害变化进行描述性分析，并按性别对研究结果进行分层；同时采用多元逻辑回归分析识别IPV的危险因素。 研究结果 心理层面的IPV是最为普遍的暴力类型：任意心理暴力受害率在女性群体中为48.5%，男性群体为39.4%；任意躯体暴力受害率分别为2.6%的女性与3.3%的男性；任意性暴力受害率则为2.8%的女性与1.5%的男性。在过去12个月内曾遭受任意类型IPV的参与者中，89.7%的女性与89.8%的男性仅遭遇过单次暴力行为。多数受影响参与者报告，疫情期间其心理与躯体暴力受害情况未发生明显变化。不过，在心理与躯体暴力受害子量表所涵盖的部分暴力行为条目上，受影响的女性与男性均报告疫情期间暴力发生频率有所升高。多元逻辑回归分析结果显示，更高的关系满意度与男女群体的任意IPV受害发生率呈显著负相关；而自身愤怒-敌对症状程度更高则与任意IPV受害发生率呈显著正相关。 研究结论 近半数（待产）伴侣中存在心理层面的IPV。多数受影响的女性与男性报告其心理与躯体暴力受害情况未发生变化，提示疫情期间他们仍持续遭受IPV。这一结果凸显了即便在危机时期，推广更健康的亲密关系互动模式、应对策略与情绪健康水平，以降低IPV发生风险的重要性。本研究聚焦于新冠疫情早期阶段，同时强调了针对IPV的时序动态开展后续研究的持续必要性。