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Intimate partner violence during lockdown in Tuscany, Italy: Economic or confinement-related shocks?
Francesca Bettio1, Fernando Flores Tavares1, Elisa Ticci2
1University of Siena, Department of Economics and Statistics, Siena, Italy.
Plos One
|June 24, 2026
Summary
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) increased during COVID-19 lockdowns in Tuscany, Italy. Parental overburden and job loss were significant factors, with a nuanced understanding of violence severity and prevalence emerging from the study.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Criminology
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns presented unprecedented challenges to societal structures.
- Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern, with potential for exacerbation during crises.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Tuscany, Italy.
- To identify specific pandemic-related "shocks" that influenced IPV.
- To analyze how different measures of IPV affect study outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A large, locally representative telephone survey on IPV conducted in Tuscany during the first COVID-19 lockdowns (2021).
- Econometric analysis using a two-step Control Function (CF) approach and quasi-likelihood method to estimate average marginal effects.
- Utilized a fuzzy measure of violence outcomes accounting for severity, intensity, and prevalence.
Main Results:
- Subjective survey data indicated an overall worsening of IPV in frequency or severity.
- Econometric findings identified parental overburden (due to minors) as the most significant shock, followed by job loss.
- Confinement in crowded, non-private spaces did not show a significant influence on IPV.
Conclusions:
- The study provides crucial insights into the complex relationship between pandemic-induced stressors and Intimate Partner Violence.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering parental support and employment stability in mitigating IPV during public health emergencies.
- Employing nuanced measures of violence is essential for a comprehensive understanding of contributing factors and their specific impacts.
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