Symptoms and online intimate partner violence during the Covid-19 Quarantine

Abstract

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the physical and mental health of the population in general, in addition, during the quarantine, online intimate partner violence behaviours may arise, which increases the probability of psychopathological symptoms, with alterations in emotional and affective states. Objective: The purpose this study was examine the relationship between psychopathological symptoms and online intimate partner violence behaviours during the Covid-19 pandemic. Method: The design was correlational cross-sectional comparative, the sample nonprobability with the participation of 588 people of between 18 and 46 years of age. Symptom Checklist- SCL-36, Cyber dating abuse questionnaire and Sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: Out of the total, 60 % reported having perpetrated a controlling behaviour and 54.3 % claimed to have been a victim of online abuse in your relationship, during the quarantine. It was found that there is a positive and significant relationship between cyber abuse, for both victimization and perpetration, and the psychopathological Symptomsby the Symptom Check List-36. A positive and significant relationship was also found between some symptoms assessed by the Symptom Check List-36 and sleep quality, cigarette consumption, and the intake of alcoholic and energising beverages during the quarantine. These results show that mental health may be affected by the confinement during the pandemic. Moreover, during the quarantine, intimate partner violence behaviours may arise, altering the emotional and affective state of individuals, with the appearance of symptoms of psychological disorders. Conclusions: Therefore, future investigations should be geared towards intervention programmes to reduce the psychological impact on the people affected.