Work-family conflict and intimate partner violence among Chinese female nurses: a cross-sectional study

To assess the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among Chinese female nurses and examine the association between IPV exposure, independent sociodemographic predictors, and work-family conflict.

This cross-sectional study surveyed 341 female nurses across five hospitals in China from August 14 to September 16, 2022. Validated instruments included the Chinese version of the Short Form Conflict Tactics Scale-2 (CTS2S) and the Work-Family Conflict Scale. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression to identify independent risk factors.

The overall prevalence of IPV was 42.82% (n = 146). Cold violence was the most frequent type (34.02%), followed by psychological violence (23.75%), injury (5.28%), sexual coercion (4.11%) and physical violence (3.24%). Multivariate logistic regression showed that higher work-to-family conflict, being aged 31 to 40 years, and dissatisfaction with salary were the predictors of IPV exposure (p < 0.05).

IPV is highly prevalent among Chinese female nurses and is influenced by multiple sociodemographic and work-related factors. Given the significant impact of IPV on both work and family functioning, greater attention and targeted interventions are needed to support nurses affected by IPV and to mitigate its broader occupational and personal consequences.

Not applicable.