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. 2025 Jan-Dec:21:17455057251326419.
doi: 10.1177/17455057251326419. Epub 2025 Mar 25.

Intimate partner violence and physical health in England: Gender stratified analyses of a probability sample survey

Ladan Hashemi  1 , Anastasia Fadeeva  1 , Nadia Khan  2 , Sally McManus  1   3
Affiliations

Intimate partner violence and physical health in England: Gender stratified analyses of a probability sample survey

Ladan Hashemi et al. Womens Health (Lond). 2025 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Background: Gender differences in the associated health outcomes of different forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) are understudied. The long-term effects of IPV on specific physical health conditions are also under-researched in comparison to the effects on general health and mental health.

Objectives: To examine gender differences in the association between IPV and specific physical health conditions, accounting for differences in the types and number of types of IPV experienced.

Design: We used data from the 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, a cross-sectional survey using a stratified, multistage random sampling design to cover the household population of England aged 16 years and older.

Methods: Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses of 4120 women and 2764 men who had ever had a partner. Lifetime IPV by types (physical, sexual, psychological, and economic), any lifetime and recent IPV, the number of IPV types experienced, and multiple chronic health conditions experienced over the past 12 months were included in the analyses.

Results: Gender differences were observed in both the prevalence of IPV and associated health conditions. Women were more likely to experience any type and a higher number of IPV types than men. Women's exposure to any lifetime and 12-month IPV were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of reporting 12 and 11 conditions, respectively, while men's exposure to any lifetime and 12-month IPV were significantly associated with 4 and 1 conditions, respectively. Specific IPV types had varied health impacts, particularly among women. A cumulative association was evident for women but not for men.

Conclusion: Healthcare systems need to be mobilised to address IPV as a priority health issue for the female population. Our findings highlight the need for gender-informed approaches in IPV intervention strategies and healthcare provision, emphasising the development of IPV-responsive healthcare systems and comprehensive IPV curricula in medical and health training.

Keywords: IPV; domestic violence; gender; intimate partner violence; men; physical health conditions; women.

Plain language summary

Why was the study done?Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread global public health issue with serious and long-lasting consequences. While much research has focused on the mental health consequences of IPV, such as depression, PTSD, and substance misuse, there is limited evidence regarding its association with physical health. This study explored how different types and numbers of IPV are linked to specific physical health conditions and whether these associations differ between men and women.What did the researchers do?The researchers analysed data from the 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey in England, which included 4,120 women and 2,764 men who had ever had a partner. They examined the links between various types of IPV (physical, sexual, psychological, and economic) and a range of long-term health conditions.What did the researchers find?Women were more likely than men to experience IPV and a higher number of its types. There was evidence that women’s exposure to IPV was associated with a greater number of health conditions, and the more types of IPV they experienced, the worse their health outcomes. These associations were stronger for women than men and remained significant even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors and childhood abuse, highlighting the persistent relationship between IPV and women’s health.What do the findings mean?These findings suggest that IPV is a gendered issue, with stronger associations between IPV and physical health for women than for men. This may be because women are more likely to experience more and multiple types of IPV, more frequently, and more often with injury. Healthcare systems must recognise IPV as a priority issue, ensuring support is tailored to those affected. The study emphasises the need for gender-informed approaches in healthcare and IPV intervention strategies to improve health outcomes for both men and women.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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References

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