Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Language
English
Publication Date
7-31-2025
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
DOI
10.3390/ijerph22081212
PMID
40869798
PMCID
PMC12386210
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
7-31-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
While IPV is often studied as a predictor of housing insecurity, few U.S. studies explore how different forms of housing instability may contribute to intimate partner violence (IPV) risk. Using a mixed-methods approach and a cross-sectional design, this study examined the association between four housing instability domains and IPV among a sample of tenants that had either experienced eviction or were at high risk for eviction. Tenants in Harris and Travis counties (Texas, USA) completed an online survey (n = 1085; March–July 2024). Housing instability was assessed across four domains: homelessness, lease violations, utility hardship, and poor housing quality. IPV was measured using the Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream Screener. Covariate-adjusted logistic regression models suggest indicators within the four housing instability domains were associated with IPV risk. Within the homelessness domain, experiences with lifetime homelessness (AOR = 1.92, 95%CI 1.61–2.28), in the past 12 months living in unconventional spaces (AOR = 2.10, 95%CI 1.92–2.29), and moving in with others (AOR = 1.20, 95%CI 1.06–1.36) were associated with IPV. Within the lease violations domain, missed rent payments (AOR = 1.69, 95%CI 1.68–1.71) and non-payment lease violations (AOR = 2.50, 95%CI 2.29–2.73) in the past 12 months were associated with IPV. Utility shutoffs (AOR = 1.62, 95%CI 1.37–1.91) and unsafe housing (AOR = 1.65, 95%CI 1.31–2.09) in the past 12 months were associated with IPV. Homelessness, housing-related economic hardships and substandard living conditions predict an elevated risk of IPV.
Keywords
Humans, Intimate Partner Violence, Female, Male, Adult, Housing, Cross-Sectional Studies, Middle Aged, Ill-Housed Persons, Risk Factors, Young Adult, Housing Quality, domestic violence, homelessness, housing insecurity, housing instability, IPV, lease violations, unsafe housing environment, utility hardship
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Zapata, Anairany; Wood, Leila G; Galvin, Annalynn M; et al., "Domains of Housing Instability and Intimate Partner Violence Risk Among U.S. Tenants" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 4476.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthmed_docs/4476