Experience of Intimate Partner Violence and Its Association with Mental Well-Being for Asians in the United States

Background/Purpose: It is known that survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), especially those with limited social support and economic hardships, are prone to experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Prior research suggests that healthy behaviors, such as physical exercise and good sleep, may improve mental health for IPV survivors. However, the association between IPV victimization and survivors' mental health is relatively unknown for Asians in the U.S. In response, this study examined the relationships between IPV victimization experience and mental health (i.e., depression and anxiety) in a community sample of Asians in the U.S.

Methods: The study used the data collected from an anonymous survey, which was conducted in the summer and fall 2024 with 338 residents of Chinese or Korean ethnicity in Maryland and Virginia. The study investigated whether participants’ experience of IPV victimization (whether they had ever experienced any type of IPV) would be significantly associated with their anxiety and depression levels, measured by PHQ-9 and GAD-7. The study used hierarchical regression analyses with three models: 1) Model I only included IPV as a predictor; 2) Model II added variables on participant financial hardship and perceived levels of social support, and; 3) Model III added variables on participants’ engagement in exercise and typical number of sleeping hours per day.

Results: The mean age of study participants was 47.4 years (SD = 13.46), and close to 70% of participants were females. Slightly over 70% of them were married, and 63.9% were working either full-time or part-time at the time of the survey. In the study, 13.9% of participants reported having ever experienced any type of IPV victimization with emotional and verbal violence being the most common types. The results of regression analyses showed that IPV victimization was significantly associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety (B = 2.71 for both, p < 0.001) when no other covariates were included in the model. When covariates were added (Models II and III), the experience of IPV victimization was no longer a significant predictor. Financial hardship (B = 3.17 for both, p < 0.001), lower levels of perceived social support (B = -2.24 for both, p < 0.001), and no exercise (B = -2.26 for both, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety while the number of sleeping hours was not a significant predictor. The adjusted R² value for Model III was 0.23 for both depression and anxiety.

Conclusion/Implications: The study noted lower prevalence rates of IPV victimization for Asians, compared to the rates reported for the general population in the U.S. (41% for females and 26% for males). This suggests significant underreporting of IPV victimization among Asian communities, requiring more active efforts for awareness and education. While the experience of IPV victimization is likely to increase the risks of depression and anxiety, the study findings suggest that services and programs that enhance physical and financial well-being, and social support may prevent such risks.