Association Between Men's Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Self-reported Health Outcomes in New Zealand

Perceived criticism and depressive symptoms among adults aged 50 years and older: a 17-year population-based cohort study

The longitudinal association between perceived criticism and depressive symptoms has not been fully elucidated in older adults. We aimed to explore the above association and the modifying role of sex in older adults. Data were from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (waves 1-9; 2002-2019). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 8-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, and a cut-off value of ≥4 was used to define clinically significant depressive symptoms. We included participants aged ≥50 years and without depressive symptoms at baseline, and established four dynamic prospective cohorts to explore the associations of perceived criticism from spouses (n = 8155), children (n = 9049), other immediate family members (OIFM, n = 9370), and friends (n = 9736) with depressive symptoms, respectively. In the full-adjusted model, compared with perceived no spouse criticism, perceived some (hazard ratio [HR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-1.55) and a lot (HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.85-2.72) were associated with higher risks of depressive symptoms, but perceived a little was not (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.92-1.20). Compared with perceived no child criticism, perceived a little (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.12-1.36), some (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.33-1.68), and a lot (HR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.62-2.52) were associated with higher risks of depressive symptoms, and perceived criticism from OIFM and friends showed similar results. Sex significantly modified the above associations, and females were more susceptible to four types of perceived criticism than males. Our findings emphasize the benefits of reducing criticism of older adults in preventing their depressive symptoms.

Intimate partner violence and physical health in England: Gender stratified analyses of a probability sample survey

BACKGROUND

Gender differences in the associated health outcomes of different forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) are understudied. The long-term effects of IPV on specific physical health conditions are also under-researched in comparison to the effects on general health and mental health.

OBJECTIVES

To examine gender differences in the association between IPV and specific physical health conditions, accounting for differences in the types and number of types of IPV experienced.

DESIGN

We used data from the 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, a cross-sectional survey using a stratified, multistage random sampling design to cover the household population of England aged 16 years and older.

METHODS

Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses of 4120 women and 2764 men who had ever had a partner. Lifetime IPV by types (physical, sexual, psychological, and economic), any lifetime and recent IPV, the number of IPV types experienced, and multiple chronic health conditions experienced over the past 12 months were included in the analyses.

RESULTS

Gender differences were observed in both the prevalence of IPV and associated health conditions. Women were more likely to experience any type and a higher number of IPV types than men. Women's exposure to any lifetime and 12-month IPV were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of reporting 12 and 11 conditions, respectively, while men's exposure to any lifetime and 12-month IPV were significantly associated with 4 and 1 conditions, respectively. Specific IPV types had varied health impacts, particularly among women. A cumulative association was evident for women but not for men.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare systems need to be mobilised to address IPV as a priority health issue for the female population. Our findings highlight the need for gender-informed approaches in IPV intervention strategies and healthcare provision, emphasising the development of IPV-responsive healthcare systems and comprehensive IPV curricula in medical and health training.

Intimate Partner Violence, Mental Health, and Aging-Related Health Among Men and Women Veterans Across the Lifespan

BACKGROUND

A growing body of evidence suggests adverse health outcomes related to intimate partner violence (IPV), including traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, most research in this area has focused on reproductive-aged women.

OBJECTIVE

To examine relationships between IPV (with and without TBI), mental health, and aging-related health outcomes among men and women Veterans across the lifespan.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative data from fiscal years 2000-2019. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were used to compare key comorbidities in matched samples of Veterans with and without IPV (gender-stratified and matched 1:3 based on demographics and index date). Comparisons between those with IPV and TBI relative to IPV alone were also examined.

SUBJECTS

Veterans aged 18 + with and without documented IPV in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic health records (n = 4108 men, 2824 women).

MAIN MEASURES

ICD codes were used to identify IPV, TBI, and aging-related medical (sleep disorder, hypertension, diabetes, dementia) and common psychiatric (depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorder, and substance use disorder) diagnoses.

KEY RESULTS

Demographic characteristics were reflective of VA-enrolled Veterans (men: mean age 66, SD 16; 72% non-Hispanic White; women: mean age 47, SD 13; 64% non-Hispanic White). Relative to Veterans without IPV, both men and women with IPV had higher rates of all examined medical (e.g., sleep disorders, men: 33% vs. 52%; women: 45% vs. 63%) and psychiatric diagnoses (e.g., depression, men 32% vs. 74%; women 59% vs. 91%; all ps < .001), with evidence of an additive effect of TBI on some psychiatric outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

IPV is broadly associated with aging-related and mental health, and TBI is a common correlate that may further contribute to psychiatric outcomes. Findings highlight the importance of trauma-informed care and recognizing the potential role of these exposures on men and women Veterans' health across the lifespan.

Association between individual-level socioeconomic factors and intimate partner violence victimisation in women: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health problem. Although both men and women experience IPV, the burden is more on women. To address IPV effectively, it is important to understand the factors that cause IPV including the socioeconomic factors. However, there is an inadequacy of knowledge on how socioeconomic factors at different levels affect IPV. Hence, the objective is to review the individual-level socioeconomic factors associated with IPV victimisation of women and girls.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The search strategy was developed to identify publications from January 2010 to 30 June 2024. The selected electronic databases of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct will be searched. The eligibility criteria for data collection are based on participants/population (women and girls), exposure (socioeconomic factors) and outcome (IPV). In primary search, the title and abstracts will be screened and reference lists of selected articles will be screened for additional studies. Two researchers will independently screen the articles, and in any disagreements, a third researcher will be consulted. The data will be tabulated to present the study and participant characteristics, comparison descriptors between victims and non-victims, inclusion and exclusion criteria, primary and secondary outcomes data, results, limitations and implications. A quality assessment will be performed on the selected studies to avoid bias. A narrative synthesis will summarise the findings.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was waived because only secondary data are used. The protocol will be published, and the findings will be disseminated via publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022373535.

Associations of history of intimate partner violence with mental ill-health and lifestyle factors in middle-aged and older men and women in South Africa

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the association between history of intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure and mental and lifestyle factors among middle-aged and older men and women in rural South Africa.

METHODS

The analysis utilized data from wave 3 of the longitudinal Health and Ageing in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI) (n = 3,707, median age 66 years, range 46-118 years). History of IPV was assessed with five questions on physical, sexual, psychological, and economic IPV. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between history of IPV exposure and mental and lifestyle factors.

RESULTS

Among men 7.8% and among women 10.9% reported a history of IPV. In terms of mental health outcomes, in the final adjusted model, among men, exposure to 1 and/or 2-4 types of IPV were associated with depressive symptoms, insomnia symptoms, PTSD, and loneliness, while among women, exposure to 1 and/or 2-4 types of IPV was associated with insomnia symptoms and PTSD. In terms of lifestyle outcomes, in the final adjusted model, among men, 2-4 types of IPV were associated current tobacco use, current heavy alcohol use, inadequate fruit intake, and food insecurity, and among women, 1 and/or 2-4 types of IPV were associated with soft drink intake, and food insecurity.

CONCLUSION

We found that lifetime exposure to IPV was associated with several mental and lifestyle factors in middle-aged and older men and women. Enhanced screening and treatment of IPV may reduce poor mental and health risk behavior among this aging male and female population in South Africa.

Understanding Intimate Partner Violence: Why Coercive Control Requires a Social and Systemic Entrapment Framework

How intimate partner violence (IPV) is conceptualized affects what we see when we look at situations involving IPV and what we think the solutions to the problem of IPV are-either in individual cases or in the development of broader legal and policy responses. In this article, it is suggested that while conceptualizing IPV as coercive control is an improvement over previous understandings, it does not go far enough. Coercive control must be located within a broader conceptualization of IPV as a form of social and systemic entrapment if it is not to operate in a harmful manner for victim-survivors.

Evidence of Gender Asymmetry in Intimate Partner Violence Experience at the Population-Level

Claims of "gender symmetry" in intimate partner violence (IPV) prevalence are contested, with resolution of the issue complicated by methodological and measurement challenges. This study explores gendered differences in the distribution of IPV exposure at the population-level, considering multiple types of IPV exposure. The subjects comprised of 1,431 ever-partnered women and 1,355 ever-partnered men. Data from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional survey were used to compare men and women's IPV experiences. Twenty-three IPV acts were assessed across IPV types (moderate physical, severe physical, sexual, psychological, controlling behaviors, economic). Proportions were presented by gender for the number of individual IPV acts experienced per IPV type, and the frequency of these acts (none, once, few times, or many times). A composite exposure score was developed to assess the number of acts and their frequency within types by comparing scores in tertiles and across types by correlations. Women reported greater overall prevalence of 20 of the 23 individual IPV acts assessed. Across all assessed acts, women comprised a substantially greater proportion of those who reported experiencing individual acts "many times." Women experienced more severe and more frequent IPV than men based on self-reported experience of IPV acts, and by the frequency with which acts were experienced. Significant differences between men and women's exposure scores were observed for all six assessed types, with greater proportions of women scoring in the upper tertiles. This study provides evidence of gender asymmetry in experiences of IPV at the population level. While men do experience IPV victimization, there remains need for directed and substantial resource allocation for intervention and therapeutic responses to women's exposure to IPV, and for primary prevention with men. Going forward, IPV measurement tools that consider frequency, severity, or co-occurring types of IPV are needed.

Association Between Women's Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Self-reported Health Outcomes in New Zealand

Importance

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor for long-term health problems; however, few studies have assessed these health outcomes using consistent and comprehensive IPV measures or representative population-based samples.

Objective

To examine associations between women's lifetime IPV exposure and self-reported health outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The cross-sectional, retrospective 2019 New Zealand Family Violence Study, adapted from the World Health Organization's Multi-Country Study on Violence Against Women, assessed data from 1431 ever-partnered women (63.7% of eligible women contacted) in New Zealand. The survey was conducted from March 2017 to March 2019, across 3 regions, which accounted for approximately 40% of the New Zealand population. Data analysis was performed from March to June 2022.

Exposures

Exposures were lifetime IPV by types (physical [severe/any], sexual, psychological, controlling behaviors, and economic abuse), any IPV (at least 1 type), and number of IPV types.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Outcome measures were poor general health, recent pain or discomfort, recent pain medication use, frequent pain medication use, recent health care consultation, any diagnosed physical health condition, and any diagnosed mental health condition. Weighted proportions were used to describe the prevalence of IPV by sociodemographic characteristics; bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used for the odds of experiencing health outcomes by IPV exposure.

Results

The sample comprised 1431 ever-partnered women (mean [SD] age, 52.2 [17.1] years). The sample was closely comparable with New Zealand's ethnic and area deprivation composition, although younger women were slightly underrepresented. More than half of the women (54.7%) reported any lifetime IPV exposure, of whom 58.8% experienced 2 or more IPV types. Compared with all other sociodemographic subgroups, women who reported food insecurity had the highest IPV prevalence for any IPV (69.9%) and all specific types. Exposure to any IPV and specific IPV types was significantly associated with increased likelihood of reporting adverse health outcomes. Compared with those unexposed to IPV, women who experienced any IPV were more likely to report poor general health (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.02; 95% CI, 1.46-2.78), recent pain or discomfort (AOR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.34-2.46), recent health care consultation (AOR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.01-1.65), any diagnosed physical health condition (AOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.13-1.96), and any mental health condition (AOR, 2.78; 95% CI, 2.05-3.77). Findings suggested a cumulative or dose-response association because women who experienced multiple IPV types were more likely to report poorer health outcomes.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of women in New Zealand, IPV exposure was prevalent and associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing adverse health. Health care systems need to be mobilized to address IPV as a priority health issue.