As of 2020, there has been significant research on domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence (IPV), across different countries and cultures. Some of the latest findings include:
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Increased IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic: The pandemic and associated lockdowns have led to increased stress and financial strain, which have been linked to an increase in IPV in many countries. A study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence found that IPV incidents increased by 8.1% globally during the first few months of the pandemic.
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Impact of economic abuse: Economic abuse, which involves controlling a partner's access to financial resources, has been found to be a common tactic in IPV. A study published in the Journal of Family Violence found that economic abuse was significantly associated with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among survivors.
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Influence of cultural norms: Cultural norms and attitudes towards gender roles and relationships have been found to influence IPV. A study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence found that traditional gender role attitudes were positively associated with IPV perpetration among men in China.
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Long-term effects on children: Children who witness or experience IPV are at risk of developing a range of mental health and behavioral problems. A meta-analysis published in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect found that children exposed to IPV had higher rates of anxiety, depression, aggression, and delinquency than those who were not exposed.
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Effective interventions: There is growing evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to prevent and respond to IPV, including individual therapy for survivors, group therapy for perpetrators, and community-based prevention programs. A meta-analysis published in the journal Aggression and Violent Behavior found that group therapy for perpetrators was associated with reduced IPV perpetration rates.
Overall, the latest research on domestic violence highlights the need for a multifaceted approach that addresses the complex factors that contribute to IPV, including cultural norms, economic factors, and mental health issues.