Background: This study took place in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictive confinement measures put in place to counter the virus’ spread could have major consequences for the mental health and intimate relationships between romantic partners. The present research assesses the association between lockdown conditions (such as time spent at home, living environment, proximity to contamination and social contacts), mental health (including intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety and depression) and the intimate partner violence within the community. This study also proposes to evaluate the indirect effect of anxiety and depression on the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and intimate partner violence (physical assault and psychological aggression).
Methods: 1532 adults (80.8% of women, Mage=35.34) were recruited from the general population through an online self-report questionnaire completed during the lockdown. All participants were engaged in a romantic relationship and lived with their partner. Sociodemographic data, lockdown conditions, mental health and intimate partner related-variables were assessed.
Results: Results demonstrate that the prevalence of physical assault was significantly higher in men, whereas the prevalence of psychological aggression was significantly higher in women. Men reported significantly more increased violence during lockdown. Women, on the other hand, were more anxious and more intolerant of uncertainty. No difference between men and women was found for depression. Anxiety and depression significantly mediate the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and physical assault and psychological aggression. Sex does not moderate the mediation.
Conclusion: Clinical implications for public health policy are highlighted, namely the necessity to consider the impact of uncertainty related to crises in increasing the risk of intimate violence between partners, and especially individual vulnerability to mental health problems associated.