Domestic violence has been found to have serious long-term health effects

A new synthesis of global evidence highlights a strong link between family violence and long-term health consequences, significantly impacting the psychological and physical well-being of millions of people worldwide. This comprehensive, first-of-its-kind review synthesizes the findings of the most rigorous studies of child maltreatment and intimate partner violence, revealing alarming patterns in the long-term effects of family violence.

According to the study, led by Matthias Burghart of the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law and Sophia Backhaus of the University of Amsterdam, the repercussions of family violence extend far beyond the immediate harm. Victims, especially children and intimate partners, may face lasting mental and physical health challenges, underscoring the urgency of addressing this public health crisis.

Domestic violence: a global health crisis

Domestic violence is a pervasive problem, with up to one billion people affected globally each year. Child maltreatment and intimate partner violence are of particular concern because of their widespread prevalence, frequent occurrence and hidden nature (occurring behind closed doors). The COVID-19 pandemic, with its associated containment measures, is believed to have exacerbated these problems, creating additional challenges for intervention and prevention.

This is the first study to explore the long-term relationship between family violence and health on such a large scale. It is also the first to provide estimates of clinical significance for the health outcomes we examined.”

Sophia Backhaus from the University of Amsterdam

Comprehensive analysis involving over 3 million people

Unlike previous research that focused on individual studies, this study combined the findings of 18 longitudinal meta-analyses, covering more than 150 primary studies and more than 3 million individuals over different time intervals, from 1 to 17 years old. The researchers assessed the quality of the included studies, making this umbrella review a reliable and valuable resource for professionals and policy makers.

Backhaus explains: “Our approach has helped to provide a clear and complete picture of the best available evidence, which we believe will serve as a valuable tool for researchers, practitioners and policy makers worldwide.”

Devastating health effects of family violence

The study identified a strong association between family violence and 16 of 19 adverse psychiatric, psychosocial, and physical health outcomes. Child maltreatment, in particular, has been linked to the development of mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and psychosis. It also significantly increased the likelihood of suicide attempts. For victims of intimate partner violence, the worst effects included hard drug use and long-term health problems such as premature births and postpartum depression.

The authors also estimated that in the United States alone, approximately 2.8 million people may experience depression as a direct consequence of domestic violence. “When we extrapolate these findings globally, the numbers are staggering,” Burghart points out.

Global relevance and call to action

In response to these findings, the authors urge governments and organizations to prioritize prevention and early intervention strategies. Effective measures to address family violence would not only improve the lives of millions of people, but also mitigate the wider societal costs of these health problems.

A significant step towards addressing this issue is the upcoming first Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which will take place in November. Hosted by Colombia and Sweden, the conference will bring together leaders from around the world to address the urgent need for coordinated global action against family violence.