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COVID-19 and Domestic Violence: Economics or Isolation?

Author

Listed:
  • Alexander Henke

    (Howard University)

  • Linchi Hsu

    (Howard University)

Abstract

Recent studies estimate that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increases reports of domestic violence in several countries. Using mobile device tracking data, city-level unemployment data, and new data on labor market conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we isolate the effects of unemployment and staying at home on incidents of domestic violence. We find that unemployment decreases domestic violence after controlling for the degree to which people stay at home. We also provide evidence that staying at home increases domestic violence. However, we find that the effects of unemployment and staying at home are concentrated right after an initial shock from mid-March to mid-June 2020. Finally, we find that some labor market conditions linked to COVID-19, such as being prevented from looking for work due to the pandemic, decrease domestic violence, and these labor market effects are often gendered.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Henke & Linchi Hsu, 2022. "COVID-19 and Domestic Violence: Economics or Isolation?," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 296-309, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:43:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10834-022-09829-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-022-09829-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Claudia Andrade & Martie Gillen & José Alberto Molina & Melissa J. Wilmarth, 2022. "The Social and Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Family Functioning and Well-Being: Where do we go from here?," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 205-212, June.
    2. Selin Köksal & Luca Maria Pesando & Valentina Rotondi & Ebru Şanlıtürk, 2022. "Harnessing the Potential of Google Searches for Understanding Dynamics of Intimate Partner Violence Before and After the COVID-19 Outbreak," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 38(3), pages 517-545, August.
    3. Linchi Hsu & Alexander Henke, 2024. "Unemployment insurance generosity and intimate partner violence," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1461-1481, December.
    4. Bettio, Francesca & Tavares, Fernando Flores & Ticci, Elisa, 2024. "Intimate partner violence during lockdown in Tuscany, Italy: economic shock or confinement-related stressors?," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1507, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    5. Geoffrey M. Ducanes & Vincent Jerald R. Ramos, 2023. "COVID-19 Lockdowns and Female Employment: Evidence from the Philippines," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(4), pages 883-899, December.

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