Bidirectional intimate partner violence during COVID‑19 in Portugal: prevalence and psychosocial correlates

Abstract

Several studies demonstrated that intimate bidirectional violence (BV) is more common than unidirectional IPV. However, little is known about the phenomenon of BV during COVID-19 lockdowns. The present study focuses on BV during the second lockdown in Portugal to characterize the BV rates in an online sample from the community and identify the main psychosocial correlates associated with BV. Three hundred and thirty-six Portuguese adults, with a mean age of 35.02 years (SD = 11.67; 18–68 years), participated in this study. In addition to a sociodemographic questionnaire, IPV (victimization and perpetration), psychological distress, COVID-19-related anxiety, COVID-19 fear, and life satisfaction measures were used. BV (31.3%) emerged as the most reported pattern of violence. The BV group scored higher on psychological distress and depression than the nonviolence group. Being married/living in cohabitation, having a high level of education, working on the front line (during the COVID-19 pandemic), and having psychological distress emerged as important predictors of BV. Results emphasized the role of psychosocial dimensions, particularly marital status/cohabitation and educational levels, as relevant risk factors for BV during a worldwide crisis event. The assessment, prevention, and intervention of IPV should consider the possibility of BV, providing a response congruent with its specificities.