Citation

Plášilová L, Hůla M, Krejčová L, Klapilová K. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021; 18(19): e10502.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph181910502

PMID

34639802

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a burning social issue worldwide. According to global statistics, the incidence of IPV has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic due to restrictive measures (e.g., reduced social contacts, the need to stay at home often with a perpetrator in the same household). This study aims to provide data about the incidence of IPV and its associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic. A representative online sample of 429 Czech women living with a partner at least 3 months before COVID-19 participated in the study. In an online interview, women reported IPV incidents 3 months before and during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using non-parametric repeated measures ANOVA, a significant difference between the total IPV score and the given time periods was found. In addition, the results of the research showed a significant effect of the tension in the relationship with the partner, depression rate, and partner support on the total IPV score in the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. These results bring important insights into IPV incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggest factors that might lead to an increased risk of IPV.

Language: en

Keywords

COVID-19; intimate partner violence; pandemic; sexual health