Domestic Violence and Suicide Attempts Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults During COVID-19

Overview: Domestic Violence (DV) has increased during COVID -19. Research about the issue has tended to focus on younger women and children. However, DV also impacts middle-aged and older adults. This study investigated the prevalence of DV and its impact on suicide attempts among middle-aged and older adults during COVID-19.Proposal text:

Introduction:
Most countries have tried to limit the spread of COVID-19 by recommending stay-at home orders and maintaining social distancing (Havnen et al., 2020). However, not everyone may be safe while staying at home during the pandemic (Emezue, 2020). Domestic violence (DV) has spiked with COVID-mitigation measures such as lockdowns and stay-at home orders (Boserup et al., 2020). DV has been reported to have negative mental health consequences such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts regardless of age or gender (Rahmani et al., 2019; Yoon et al., 2020a; Yoon et al., 2020b). Loneliness also may exacerbate the victims’ vulnerabilities during the pandemic (Tso & Park, 2020). However, most research on DV is about younger women and children. More research is needed on the prevalence and impact of DV among middle-aged and older adults (Telles et al., 2020). This study investigates 1) the prevalence of DV among middle-aged and older adults in the U.S during COVID-19 and 2) the impact of DV on suicide attempts among the populations.

Method
Data for the current study were collected from March 8, 2021 to April 8, 2021 in the U.S via an online survey after participants provided electronic consent. The current study is comprised of survey data from 581 participants aged 41 and older (range: 41 to 80 and older). A logistic regression was employed to investigate the impact of DV on suicide attempts among middle-aged and older adults in the U.S. during COVID-19. The independent variable, the experience of DV, was measured based on the Composite Abuse Scale (revised) (Ford-Gilboe et al., 2016) using a binary variable (yes/no). The dependent variable, suicide attempts, was assessed by a binary question, “During COVID-19, have you ever tried to kill yourself”. SI was assessed by a binary question, asking, “During COVID-19, have you ever seriously thought about taking your own life?” Loneliness during COVID-19 was measured with three items (α = .869)(Hughes et al., 2004). Depression was measured with two items (α = .889)(Kroenke et al., 2003). The control variables were physical health status and annual income. All binary variables were converted into dummy variables before analysis.

Results
A logistic regression was conducted. The percentage correct classification was 98.3%. The prevalence of DV during COVID-19 was 12.4% among the sample population. Middle-aged and older adults who experienced DV during COVID-19 had 5.76 times more suicide attempts than their counterparts (OR=5.767, p < .05, Wald = 4.257). SI was a significant risk factor for suicide attempts. (OR=15.958, p < .001, Wald = 10.295). Loneliness, depression, physical health status and income were not significantly associated with suicide attempts among the population.

Implications
Health care practitioners should strategically screen for DV and its associated negative mental and physical health consequences among the sample populations so that they can intervene in timely and appropriate ways to reduce preventable tragic events among the vulnerable population, regardless of social distancing and/or lockdowns during stressful times.