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Employment status has no bearing on domestic violence

February 10, 2001

Being out of work does not increase the likelihood of violent rows between couples, finds a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. But excessive drinking in or out of work, does.

Data from a National Survey of Families and Households conducted in 1987 and 1992 in the USA informed the study. Almost 5000 married or cohabiting couples took part. One hundred and fifty one couples admitted to arguments in which both partners were physically violent towards each other.

Women were as likely as men to resort to violence during arguments, but they were more likely to report being injured than men. Those who argued violently tended to be younger than those who did not.

People who were out of work were no more likely to be violent at home than those in employment, although excessive drinking and being out of work did predict violence. But people who were in work, and on welfare benefits, were almost four times as likely to engage in domestic violence. The authors suggest that the additional stress of working, often in low skills jobs, while coping with poverty and child care issues may put couples at higher risk of violence.

Other significant factors for violent arguments included number of children, high alcohol intake, and a previous history of such arguments. Those arguing violently in 1987 were almost six times more likely to report the same in 1992. Contrary to popular belief, race/ethnicity and changing partners did not increase the risk of violence. And a strong social network positively protected against violence.

AlphaGalileo Foundation