Domains of Housing Instability and Intimate Partner Violence Risk Among U.S. Tenants

Anairany Zapata, Leila G. Wood, Annalynn M. Galvin, Wenyaw Chan, Timothy A. Thomas, Jack Tsai, Heather K. Way, Elizabeth J. Mueller and Daphne C. Hernandez ()
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Anairany Zapata: Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Leila G. Wood: McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Annalynn M. Galvin: Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Wenyaw Chan: School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Timothy A. Thomas: Institute of Governmental Studies, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Jack Tsai: School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Heather K. Way: School of Law, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78705, USA
Elizabeth J. Mueller: School of Architecture, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
Daphne C. Hernandez: Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 8, 1-14

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: domestic violence; homelessness; housing insecurity; housing instability; IPV; lease violations; unsafe housing environment; utility hardship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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