Exploring associations between healthy relationships, intimate partner violence, and health at the population level

Bibliographic Data

ID4880586
AuthorsJanet Fanslow (0000-0001-6511-0655, University of Auckland), Melissa Reid-Ellis (0009-0006-1133-6425, University of Auckland), Philip Gulliver (0000-0002-7249-5132, University of Auckland), Tracey Mcintosh (0000-0002-8612-6725, University of Auckland)
Year2025
Volume382
Pages118399
Publication date2025-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Science & Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0277-9536 • E-ISSN: 1873-5347
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118399
PMID40664170
OpenAlexW4412421723
LanguageEN
References cited55

This cross-sectional study utilised a population-based sample of 1464 women and 1423 men from the 2019 New Zealand Family Violence Study to investigate associations between healthy relationships, intimate partner violence (IPV), and self-reported physical and mental health. Understandings of healthy relationships were highly prevalent, with over 90 % of women and men agreeing or strongly agreeing with each investigated healthy relationship attribute; however, a greater proportion of women than men endorsed each attribute. Experiences of healthy relationships were also highly prevalent, with over 85 % of participants reporting each healthy relationship indicator, except for asking their partner what they liked during sex. A greater proportion of men reported experiencing most indicators compared to women. For women, experiences of healthy relationships were negatively associated with all IPV types (adjusted odds ratios (AORs) ranged from 0.14 for any IPV to 0.41 for physical IPV), chronic health conditions (AOR = 0.54; 95 % CI: 0.32-0.93) and poor mental health (AOR = 0.58; 95 % CI: 0.34-1.00), and positively associated with positive mental health (AOR = 2.12; 95 % CI: 1.20-3.76). Whereas, for men, experiences of healthy relationships were positively associated with positive mental health only (AOR = 1.89; 95 % CI 1.04-3.44). Health and wellbeing at the population level may be improved by actively empowering people to build and maintain healthy relationships. Community and societal support systems that enable the achievement of individual and community aspirations for healthy relationships may also be beneficial

Domestic violence · Environmental health · Injury prevention · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Population · Public health · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Demography · Health disparities and outcomes · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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