IPV exposure and mental and behavioral health in men during the COVID-19

Purpose: In this Brief Report, we prospectively examined associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences early in the COVID-19 pandemic with later depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and modifiable health factors, among men. Methods: Using observational data from 1,083 men in the United States from the Growing Up Today Study who participated in a 2020–2021 COVID-19 substudy, we examined associations between IPV exposure and health outcomes later in the pandemic: depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress symptoms, sleep duration, reduced sleep quality, decreased physical activity, increased alcohol use, and use of substances to cope with stress. Results: IPV exposure was associated with increased mental health symptoms (ORdepression = 1.56 [1.36, 1.80], ORanxiety = 1.30 [1.15, 1.47], ORPTSS = 1.28 [1.14, 1.45]). Associations between IPV exposure and modifiable health factors were mixed, weak associations were observed for poorer sleep quality (OR = 1.23 [1.08, 1.41]) and increased use of substances to cope stress (OR = 1.19 [1.04, 1.36]). Conclusions: The health impacts of IPV victimization on men are understudied. In times of collective stress, IPV screening is needed and increased awareness that men seeking help for mental health symptoms, sleep, or substance use may have exposure to IPV.