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

Janet Fanslow, Melissa Reid-Ellis, Pauline Gulliver and Tracey McIntosh

Social Science & Medicine, 2025, vol. 382, issue C

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118399

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