Factors associated with violence against women following the COVID-19 lockdown in France: Results from a prospective online survey.
Journal
PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
Titre abrégé: PLoS One
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101285081
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2021
2021
Historique:
received:
01
07
2021
accepted:
26
08
2021
entrez:
10
9
2021
pubmed:
11
9
2021
medline:
23
9
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of the first COVID-19 lockdown (March 17th-May 11th 2020) on violence against women in France. A prospective survey was conducted online between April 2th 2020 and July 5th 2020. Female respondents were recruited from social media networks using the snowball sampling method. Data were collected three times: during (2-19 April) and at the end (11-25 May) of the first lockdown, and following the first lockdown (20 June- 05 July). Sociodemographic variables, lockdown living conditions, financial impact of COVID, and history of psychiatric disorder were evaluated, together with changes in psychological distress over the lockdown period, and the risk of being assaulted post lockdown. Psychological distress was elevated and remained stable for most of the 1538 female respondents during lockdown. More than 7% of women were affected by physical or sexual violence post lockdown. Unwanted sexual contact accounted for the majority of abuse, but physical and sexual assault were also prevalent. The risk of being abused was higher for participants who had changed anxiety/insomnia symptoms over the lockdown period, and a history of abuse. Women who experienced changes in anxiety/insomnia symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown were at higher risk than others of being assaulted post lockdown, especially when they were already socially vulnerable. While social and psychological factors accounting for these changes warrant further investigation, communication and preventive measures during pandemics should include initiatives tailored to women more vulnerable to violence.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of the first COVID-19 lockdown (March 17th-May 11th 2020) on violence against women in France.
METHODS
A prospective survey was conducted online between April 2th 2020 and July 5th 2020. Female respondents were recruited from social media networks using the snowball sampling method. Data were collected three times: during (2-19 April) and at the end (11-25 May) of the first lockdown, and following the first lockdown (20 June- 05 July). Sociodemographic variables, lockdown living conditions, financial impact of COVID, and history of psychiatric disorder were evaluated, together with changes in psychological distress over the lockdown period, and the risk of being assaulted post lockdown.
RESULTS
Psychological distress was elevated and remained stable for most of the 1538 female respondents during lockdown. More than 7% of women were affected by physical or sexual violence post lockdown. Unwanted sexual contact accounted for the majority of abuse, but physical and sexual assault were also prevalent. The risk of being abused was higher for participants who had changed anxiety/insomnia symptoms over the lockdown period, and a history of abuse.
DISCUSSION
Women who experienced changes in anxiety/insomnia symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown were at higher risk than others of being assaulted post lockdown, especially when they were already socially vulnerable. While social and psychological factors accounting for these changes warrant further investigation, communication and preventive measures during pandemics should include initiatives tailored to women more vulnerable to violence.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34506545
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257193
pii: PONE-D-21-21499
pmc: PMC8432875
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e0257193Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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