Changes in Collective Efficacy’s Preventive Effect on Intimate Partner Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Following the logic of studies showing that collective efficacy within neighborhoods deters intimate partner violence (IPV), the promotion of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic may have weakened that effect. To examine that possibility, we analyzed panel data from 318 adults in Japan regarding IPV victimization and perceived collective efficacy at four time points. A latent growth model (LGM) analysis for each measure revealed that informal social control, a subscale of collective efficacy, has declined since the pandemic began, whereas no significant changes have occurred in social cohesion and trust, another subscale of collective efficacy, and IPV victimization. Furthermore, two parallel LGM analyses revealed that although collective efficacy before the pandemic suppressed subsequent IPV victimization, changes in collective efficacy during the pandemic have been positively associated with changes in IPV. Those results suggest that collective efficacy’s protective effect on IPV is moderated by whether interactions between intimate partners and their neighbors are socially normative.

Intimate Partner Abuse and Homicide During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Situational Action Theory Analysis

“…If these were relevant opportunities to satisfy their desire to dominate, control, or punish a partner, or frictions that created negative sentiments toward their partner, this would have increased temptations and provocations they might respond to with IPA. It is also possible the prevalence of these opportunities and frictions declined during stay-at-home restrictions, as people may have perceived less need to dominate or control their partners, for example, their movement and activities, and fewer transgressions, for example, occurring outside the home or when socializing with others (Bhuptani et al, 2023; Bradbury-Jones & Isham, 2020; Kaukinen, 2020; Ragavan et al, 2022; Soeiro et al, 2023; Souma et al, 2022; Trafford, 2022).…”