Relationships Among Intimate Partner Violence, Work, and Health

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health problem, and recent attention has focused on its impact on workers and workplaces. We provide findings from a pan-Canadian online survey on the relationships among IPV, work, and health. In total, 8,429 people completed the survey, 95.5% of them in English and 78.4% female. Reflecting the recruitment strategy, most (95.4%) were currently working, and unionized (81.4%). People with any lifetime IPV experience reported significantly poorer general health, mental health, and quality of life; those with both recent IPV and IPV experience over 12 months ago had the poorest health. Among those who had experienced IPV, about half reported that violence occurred at or near the workplace, and these people generally had poorer health outcomes. Employment status moderated the relationship between IPV exposure and health status, with those who were currently working and had experienced IPV having similar health status to those without IPV experience who were not employed. While there were gender differences in IPV experience, in the impacts of IPV at work, and in health status, gender did not moderate any associations. In this very large data set, we found robust relationships among different kinds of IPV exposure (current, recent, and lifetime), health and quality of life, and employment status, including the potentially protective effect of current employment on health for both women and men. Our findings may have implications for strategies to address IPV in workplaces, and should reinforce emerging evidence that IPV is also an occupational health issue.

The Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence, Associated Risk Factors, and Other Moderating Effects: Findings From the Kenya National Health Demographic Survey

“…Among those who had experienced IPV, about half reported that violence occurred at or near the workplace. Employment status moderated the relationship between IPV exposure and health status, with those who were currently working and had experienced IPV having similar health status to those without IPV experience who were not employed (Wathen, MacGregor, & MacQuarrie, 2016).…”

Supporting people who experience intimate partner violence

“…In the UK, according to the reports of the CSEW, approximately 30% of women and 17% of men between the ages of 16 and 59 experience IPV (Office for National Statistics, 2015). International evidence suggests that every third woman experiences IPV at some point in their life and that IPV prevalence ranges from 25% to 37% across various WHO regions (Wathen, MacGregor, & MacQuarrie, 2016).…”

The role of trade unions in supporting victims of domestic violence in the workplace

“…Furthermore, Wathen et al . () report that if the domestic violence continues whilst the victim is at work, then this is likely to result in increased negative health effects for the victim.…”

“…Experiencing domestic violence has also been associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety for both female and male victims and physical effects such as respiratory, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular conditions (Dillon et al, 2013). Furthermore, Wathen et al (2016) report that if the domestic violence continues whilst the victim is at work, then this is likely to result in increased negative health effects for the victim.…”

“…Unsurprisingly, because of the abuse, victims are likely to have higher absenteeism and reduced performance at work (de Jonge, 2016). Attendance may be low, as perpetrators may try to prevent employees going to or staying at work through physical violence; sleep deprivation; preventing them from leaving the house; destroying work equipment or clothing; threats to victims or others (including children); removing access to transport; and contacting and harassing the victim at work in person or via any form of communication (Beecham, 2014;McFerran, 2011;Moe and Bell, 2004;Walby and Allen, 2004;Wathen et al, 2016). These forms of abuse also decrease an employee's performance, as they are unable to concentrate and are suffering from the physical and psychological impacts of the abuse (TUC, 2014).…”