Domestic violence among married couples during COVID-19 lockdown in an urban setting: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown to reduce the spread of the infection has had a huge mental health impact. Added social and economic constraints to this could lead to violence among the married couples in the domestic settings. Hence, the aim of the study was to examine the gender differences in domestic violence and factors associated with it among married couples living together during COVID-19 lockdown in an urban setting.

Materials and methods: Online survey through Google Forms was used to collect data from the study participants after obtaining written informed consent. Participants living with their partner during the lockdown were recruited into the study. Socio-demographic profile of the study participants was collected through a semi-structured proforma, Family emotional involvement and criticism scale, Brief COPE, The violence scale and P.G.I. General Well-being. All statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20.0.

Results: A total of 69 participants completed the survey. The mean age of the participants was 40.5±9.1. More females (45, 65.2%) had participated in the study than males (24, 34.8%). Females were found to report statistically significant higher violence in sexual (p=0.019), social violence as ridiculed, demean or insulted in the presence of family members and friends (p=0.01) and intellectual violence by non-participation when issues are important (p=0.006). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed female gender alone found to be associated with domestic violence among the study participants.

Conclusion: Domestic violence during COVID-19 lockdown has highlighted the prevailing gender-based violence and demands for interventions to prevent and reduce domestic violence at the individual, family and society level.