Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural survivors of intimate partner violence.

Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to understand experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) by survivors living through the COVID-19 pandemic in a rural area. Method: Structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of IPV survivors, 93% of whom identified as women, living in a rural parish (county) in Louisiana (n = 41). Interviews included COVID-19-related stressors (e.g., rent stress due to the pandemic) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5) and resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10) validated scales. Data were analyzed using independent t tests to determine differences across race with respect to PTSD and resilience and logistic regression to predict group membership in the probable PTSD group. Results: Results indicate 72.5% and 56.2% of rural IPV survivors interviewed reported experiencing rent/mortgage stress and nutritional stress, respectively, due to the pandemic. No statistically significant differences by race for probable PTSD or resilience were found. Rent or mortgage stress due to COVID-19 was a significant predictor of probable PTSD in the regression model. Conclusions: Findings suggest the possibility that IPV concerns may exacerbate pandemic-related concerns, which in turn exacerbates health functioning. Clinical Impact StatementThis research suggests policy changes to the Violence Against Women Act and the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act are needed to better support rural intimate partner violence survivors during disaster to aid in keeping survivors safe from abusers.

Exploring the Psychological, Social, and Human Rights Dynamics and Consequences of COVID-19 Control Measures: A Systematic Review

“…The rights and well-being of children and adolescents during the pandemic were explored in two studies (34, 35). Suleman et al (34) found that efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 worsened existing inequities for marginalized children and youth.…”

“…Structural inequities, xenophobia, and racism were magnified during the pandemic, further affecting the mental health and development of children and youth. Craig et al (35) found that during the pandemic control measures, there were higher rates of mental health symptoms and substance use among Canadian adolescents, with differential impacts by gender, with over 50% of youth engaging in some form of substance use in the past 90 days and almost 20% engaging in substance use at least once a week. The studies emphasized the need for enhanced investment in services for children and the establishment of mechanisms to uphold their rights (34, 35).…”

“…The pandemic exacerbated existing concerns, with increased stress related to rent/mortgage and nutrition (32). The study found that IPV concerns may exacerbate pandemic-related concerns, further affecting the health and functioning of survivors.…”

“…A systematic review of 13 selected studies aimed to explore the psychological and social impact of COVID-19 control measures and their implications for human rights. The studies covered a range of topics, including the human rights and marginalization of older adults (26,27), intimate partner violence (28), mental health rights (29), government responses (30), torture prevention (31), impacts on rural survivors of intimate partner violence (32), human rights derogation (33), the rights of children and youth (34,35), the unintended consequences of COVID-19 vaccine policy (36), COVID-19 control measures in African countries and the psychological and financial impact of travel restriction (37,38).…”

“…Physical and psychological abuse were prevalent, particularly among certain demographic and economic groups. The stressors associated with the pandemic, such as financial strain and social isolation, exacerbated the risk of IPV, highlighting the urgent need for community support and intervention strategies (Wood et al, 2023;Cannon et al, 2023).…”