Covid-19, Family Stress and Domestic Violence: Remote Work, Isolation and Bargaining Power

Louis-Philippe Beland (), Abel Brodeur (), Joanne Haddad () and Derek Mikola ()
Additional contact information
Louis-Philippe Beland: Department of Economics, Carleton University, https://www.lpbeland.com/
Abel Brodeur: Department of Economics, University of Ottawa, https://sites.google.com/site/abelbrodeur/
Joanne Haddad: Department of Economics, University of Ottawa, https://sites.google.com/view/joannehaddad/home?authuser=0
Derek Mikola: Department of Economics, Carleton University, https://carleton.ca/economics/people/mikola-derek/

No 20-09, Carleton Economic Papers from Carleton University, Department of Economics

Abstract: We study the impacts of COVID-19 on domestic violence and family stress. Our empirical analysis relies on a unique online survey, the Canadian Perspective Survey Series, which allows us to investigate the mechanisms through which COVID-19 may affect family stress and domestic violence. We find no evidence that changes in work arrangements are related to self-reported levels of family stress and violence in the home due to confinement, suggesting that remote work on a large scale does not lead to family violence. In contrast, we find that the inability to meet financial obligations and maintaining social ties significantly increase reported family stress and domestic violence. These findings are consistent with two alternative mechanisms: social isolation and decreased bargaining power for women. Last, we provide suggestive evidence that receiving financial relief does not mitigate the effect of financial worries on domestic violence and family stress. We conclude that targeted programs supporting victims of domestic violence may be more effective.

Keywords: COVID-19; lockdown; domestic violence; family stress; isolation; remote work. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D03 I18 J12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 34 pages
Date: 2020-06-05
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Published: Carleton Economics Papers

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