“We’re out here getting slaughtered by these abusive people”: Perceptions of the effects of COVID-19 movement restrictions among survivors of intimate partner violence Public

Abstract

Introduction: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) poses a severe public health threat globally and within the United States. Preliminary evidence has underscored surges in IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of COVID-19, including the impacts of movement restrictions (i.e., shelter in place orders, quarantine, isolation orders) on experiences of IPV from the perspective of survivors.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with nine survivors who presented at a large, Atlanta-based public hospital or sought IPV community resources (i.e., domestic violence shelter, therapy services) between March 2020 and December 2020. Thematic analysis was carried out to describe the impact of COVID-19 movement restrictions on IPV and help-seeking behaviors among survivors, in addition to identifying resources to improve IPV response during pandemics.

Results: Survivors cited relationship challenges that were amplified by either movement restrictions or consequences of COVID-19, including substance use, reinforced control tactics in relationships, and increased financial or life stressors resulting from the pandemic. COVID-19 movement restrictions catalyzed new relationships quickly and sparked new or intensified violence in existing relationships, and unveiled holes in IPV support services.

Conclusions: Taken as a whole, these findings suggest COVID-19 movement restrictions and social distancing measures amplify IPV, experiences of trauma, and survivors’ subsequent help-seeking experiences. Findings along with recommendations can be used for IPV response during pandemics and inform future pandemic preparedness.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

Problem Statement .................................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose Statement .................................................................................................................................... 4

Research Objective and Aims ................................................................................................................... 4

Significance Statement ............................................................................................................................. 5

Chapter 2: Literature Review ....................................................................................................................... 7

Intimate Partner Violence ......................................................................................................................... 7

Risk Factors for IPV Victimization .......................................................................................................... 8

IPV Injury, Morbidity and Mortality ........................................................................................................ 9

IPV and Natural Disasters ...................................................................................................................... 12

IPV and Humanitarian Emergencies ...................................................................................................... 12

IPV and COVID-19 ................................................................................................................................ 13

Mass Media Reports ........................................................................................................................... 14

The Current State of COVID-19 Research.......................................................................................... 14

Conclusion and Significance .................................................................................................................. 17

Chapter 3: Student Contribution................................................................................................................. 19

Chapter 4: Manuscript ................................................................................................................................ 23

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 24

IPV and COVID-19 ............................................................................................................................. 29

Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 34

Results .................................................................................................................................................... 40

Theme 1: COVID-19 impacts paved the way for relationship challenges catalyzing violence .......... 41

Theme 2: COVID-19 movement restrictions catalyzed new relationships quickly and sparked new or intensified violence in existing relationships ...................................................................................... 49

Theme 3: IPV help-seeking during COVID unveiled holes in support services ................................. 52

Discussion ............................................................................................................................................... 55

Limitations .............................................................................................................................................. 60

Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................ 61

Chapter 5: Public Health Implications ....................................................................................................... 64

Implications ............................................................................................................................................ 64

Recommendations ................................................................................................................................... 67

References ................................................................................................................................................... 70

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, General Health Sciences, Public Health
Mot-clé	Intimate Partner Violence COVID-19 Domestic Violence
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Dabney P. Evans, Emory University
Committee Members	Subasri Narasimhan, Emory University

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