ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Reprod. Health, 25 July 2024

Sec. Adolescent Reproductive Health and Well-being

Volume 6 - 2024 | https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2024.1366262

Correlates of verbal and physical violence experienced and perpetrated among cisgender college women: serial cross-sections during one year of the COVID-19 pandemic

  • 1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States

  • 2. Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States

  • 3. Barnard College, Health & Wellness, Barnard College, New York, NY, United States

  • 4. Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States

  • 5. Heilbrunn Department of Population & Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States

Abstract

Introduction:

Violence against women is a prevalent, preventable public health crisis. COVID-19 stressors and pandemic countermeasures may have exacerbated violence against women. Cisgender college women are particularly vulnerable to violence. Thus, we examined the prevalence and correlates of verbal/physical violence experienced and perpetrated among cisgender women enrolled at a New York City college over one year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

From a prospective cohort study, we analyzed data self-reported quarterly (T1, T2, T3, T4) between December 2020 and December 2021. Using generalized estimated equations (GEE) and logistic regression, we identified correlates of experienced and perpetrated violence among respondents who were partnered or cohabitating longitudinally and at each quarter, respectively. Multivariable models included all variables with unadjusted parameters X2p-value ≤0.05.

Results:

The prevalence of experienced violence was 52% (T1: N = 513), 30% (T2: N = 305), 33% (T3: N = 238), and 17% (T4: N = 180); prevalence of perpetrated violence was 38%, 17%, 21%, and 9%. Baseline correlates of experienced violence averaged over time (GEE) included race, living situation, loneliness, and condom use; correlates of perpetrated violence were school year, living situation, and perceived social support. Quarter-specific associations corroborated population averages: living with family members and low social support were associated with experienced violence at all timepoints except T4. Low social support was associated with higher odds of perpetrated violence at T1/T3. Other/Multiracial identity was associated with higher odds of violence experience at T3.

Conclusions:

Living situation was associated with experienced and perpetrated violence in all analyses, necessitating further exploration of household conditions, family dynamics, and interpersonal factors. The protective association of social support with experienced and perpetrated violence also warrants investigation into forms of social engagement and cohesion. Racial differences in violence also require examination. Our findings can inform university policy development on violence and future violence research. Within or beyond epidemic conditions, universities should assess and strengthen violence prevention and support systems for young women by developing programming to promote social cohesion.

Introduction

Violence against women and girls is a pervasive, preventable public health problem. Global and United States national data show that one in three women have survived physical, sexual, or psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime (, ). Rising levels of violence against women were reported following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (, ). According to one systematic review and meta-analysis, lockdown policies were followed by an 8.1% increase in domestic violence (). Consequences of the pandemic, such as stay-at-home orders, school closures, social isolation, financial insecurity, and substance use in the context of increased stress and/or mental illness, may have contributed to increased rates of violence. The impact of COVID-19 on violence may be attenuated by the socioeconomic vulnerability of families and women from minoritized communities (, ). Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 were more likely to experience violence, possibly related to other social determinants of both SARS-CoV-2 acquisition and the epidemic of interpersonal violence (, ). Similarly, increases in IPV have been observed in previous infectious disease outbreaks and crisis situations (e.g., during outbreaks of Ebola, Cholera, Zika, and Nipah virus, and in the setting of earthquakes and other natural disasters) ().

College-aged women faced relatively high levels of psychological distress and are vulnerable to intimate and non-intimate partner violence (, ). In Fall 2019, a national cross-sectional survey of American college students revealed that 12% of females experienced verbal violence from partners and 9% from non-partners, whereas 3% and 2% survived physical violence from these respective perpetrators (). These statistics have remained relatively stable across independent samples throughout COVID-19 (). Notably, most available data on violence survivorship among college women during the COVID-19 pandemic are cross-sectional, representing a single time point during the pandemic; few longitudinal studies have been published (, ).

Violence perpetrated (i.e., committed/enacted) by women is a less researched phenomenon. Historical data suggest between 10%–40% of college women perpetrate physical IPV, while between 40%–90% enact emotional violence (). Although its measurement is negatively affected by stereotypes surrounding femininity, gender, and heteronormativity, evidence implies that woman-perpetrated sexual violence might not be a rare occurrence (, ). Research also supports that adverse childhood events and maladaptive personality traits and attitudes facilitate woman-perpetrated sexual violence ().

Little is known about the longitudinal patterns and determinants of experienced and enacted violence among college women during COVID-19 pandemic. Measures of socializing (e.g., participation in organized sports, relationship status, perceived social support) have been associated with elevated vulnerability to violence. While the relationship between violence and certain health-risk behaviors is well established, associations with other aspects of health behaviors, including self-efficacy (e.g., condom use, hormonal contraceptive use), remain unclear temporally and in the pandemic context (). The debate continues about the co-incident or causal relationship between pandemic behavior modification (e.g., substance use, changes in sexual behavior as a result of social distancing recommendations) and violence experience or perpetration (). Additionally, the immediate and long-term consequences of violence, particularly at the formative stage of late adolescence and young adulthood, need to be elucidated.

Thus, we estimated the prevalence and social, psychological, and behavioral correlates of experienced and perpetrated physical and verbal violence among college women at successive stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that during the COVID-19 pandemic, experienced and perpetrated violence would be high, associated with social connectivity, stability and health behaviors, and these associations would be modified over time.

Methods

Study design

From December 2020 to December 2021, this longitudinal cohort study prospectively followed college students, faculty, and staff affiliated with a New York City (NYC) residential college. Study methods have been previously described (). In brief, emails containing study details and enrollment links were distributed in December 2020-January 2021 (T1) to everyone with an active institutional email address. Eligible participants were (1) enrolled students or employed faculty or staff, (2) at least 18 years old, (3) able to speak and understand English, and (4) able to provide written informed consent. After T1, participants were surveyed quarterly: March-April 2021 (T2), July-August 2021 (T3), and November-December 2021 (T4). This article adheres to the reporting standards established within The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement (Supplementary Table S1) ().

Participants

We restricted the analytic sample to students who self-identified as cisgender women and those either in relationships or living with family, friends, roommates, suitemates, or significant others (cohabitating) when the survey was administered.

Data collection

All data were collected by an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire that included sociodemographic, physical status, social, and psychological well-being information. All data were collected and managed using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) ().

Outcome measures

We explored two outcome measures: experienced violence and perpetrated violence. Topics surrounding violence were explored using questions developed around quarantine in another COVID-19 study and other emergency contexts, such as Hurricane Katrina (, ). Violence-related outcomes were asked only of respondents who were cohabiting or in a relationship.

We operationalized experienced violence, the primary outcome, as a partner, spouse, or cohabitating person subjecting the respondent to physical or verbal violence in the past 30 days. Physical violence included being pushed, grabbed, hit, slapped, kicked, or having something thrown at the respondent. Verbal violence involved yelling or saying things that make the other person feel bad, embarrassed, or frightened. The initial Likert response of, “Very Often, “Fairly Often, Sometimes, Almost Never, Never” was dichotomized into ever vs. never experienced violence in the past 30 days. We defined perpetrated violence, the co-primary outcome, as the respondent enacting physical or verbal violence on a partner, spouse, or cohabitating person in the past 30 days as defined above. Similarly, we dichotomized responses as ever vs. never perpetrated violence in the last 30 days. In keeping with other published analyses of violence, we further examined the joint occurrence of experiencing and perpetuating violence ().

Correlates

Detailed descriptions of all correlates are presented in Supplementary Table S2. Demographic variables included age, ethnicity, race, school year at enrollment, living situation, and financial aid status. Social variables were relationship status, social group involvement, sports group involvement, loneliness, and social support. Substance use variables were tobacco smoking or vaping, alcohol consumption, and frequency of any of the following drugs used in the past 30 days: marijuana, cocaine, painkillers, heroin, sedatives, stimulants, club drugs, hallucinogens, or inhalants. Sexual behavior variables were recent sexual activity, condom use, and change in sexual behavior due to COVID-19. We also examined self-care/care-seeking behaviors based on COVID-19 symptoms and hormonal contraception use. The sociodemographic correlates phrasing and response items were aligned with NIH reporting guidelines. Sexual and drug use behavior correlates were drawn from standardized questions from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). At the time of questionnaire development, there were limitations regarding availability of scales that were applicable and/or validated for use in the pandemic context.

Statistical methods

We described the sample using proportions for categorical variables and medians and interquartile ranges (IQR) for continuous variables.

Because pandemic countermeasures, mortality/morbidity rates, and interventions varied greatly over the cohort's observation period, we performed serial cross-sectional analyses of each quarterly survey rather than analyzing repeated measures. We conducted unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses to estimate correlates of experienced and perpetrated violence, including correlates with a X2p-values ≤0.05 for parameters in the adjusted model.

To estimate the average change in violence outcomes over time, we conducted a generalized estimating equations models (GEE) with an autoregressive correlation matrix and using the baseline values of the independent variables, carried forward. Only those with non-missing outcome data across all timepoints were included in the GEE models.

We performed all data management, transformation, and analysis in R (v.4.3.2).

Results

Sample characteristics

Of the 666 respondents that completed the T1 survey, 513 comprised the analytic sample after removing respondents who were faculty [n = 35], staff [n = 69)]), identified as transgender (n = 22), not living with others and not in a relationship (n = 22), or missing outcome data (n = 5). For the GEE analyses, 120 students had complete outcome data across quarters.

Table 1 shows the characteristics of the study sample at T1. The median age of participants was 20 (IQR: 19–21). Participants were predominantly White-identifying (62%) non-Hispanic (86%) students not on financial aid (57%), with even distribution across school years. Majority were single (70.6%) and living with others (58% with family, 40% with peers). Social group involvement was high (62%), while sports involvement was rare (14%). Loneliness (62%) and social support networks (74%) were common, whereas smoking (7%), alcohol consumption (31%), drug use (20%), hormonal contraception use (36%), and recent sexual activity (38%) were rare. Among those recently sexually active (n = 193), approximately half used condoms (52%, 101/193), and most reported that COVID-19 affected their sexual activities in some way (99%, 191/193). Of those who had ever experienced COVID-19 symptoms (n = 111), approximately half sought care from medical professionals (52%) and about one-third isolated but did not seek care (32%).

Table 1

CharacteristicOverall, N = 513Experienced violencePerpetrated violence
Did not experience, N = 247Experienced, N = 266OR (95% CI)p-valueaOR (95% CI)Did not perpetrate, N = 317Perpetrated, N = 196OR (95% CI)p-valueaOR (95% CI)
Age20.00 (19.00, 21.00)20.00 (19.00, 21.00)20.00 (18.00, 21.00)0.9 (0.78, 1.03)0.1320.00 (19.00, 21.00)20.00 (19.00, 21.00)0.99 (0.86, 1.14)>0.9
Race
 White309 (62%)166 (69%)143 (56%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)202 (65%)107 (57%)1.00 (ref)
 Asian104 (21%)41 (17%)63 (25%)1.78 (1.14, 2.82)0.0121.25 (0.77, 2.06)57 (18%)47 (25%)1.56 (0.99, 2.45)0.055
 Other/multiracial84 (17%)33 (14%)51 (20%)1.79 (1.10, 2.95)0.021.51 (0.90, 2.56)50 (16%)34 (18%)1.28 (0.78, 2.10)0.3
Ethnicity
 Not Hispanic434 (86%)214 (87%)220 (85%)1.00 (ref)275 (88%)159 (83%)1.00 (ref)
 Hispanic72 (14%)33 (13%)39 (15%)1.15 (0.70, 1.90)0.639 (12%)33 (17%)1.46 (0.88, 2.42)0.14
School year
 Senior125 (24%)68 (28%)57 (21%)1.00 (ref)78 (25%)47 (24%)1.00 (ref)
 First-year139 (27%)61 (25%)78 (29%)1.53 (0.94, 2.49)0.08983 (26%)56 (29%)1.12 (0.68, 1.84)0.7
 Sophomore113 (22%)52 (21%)61 (23%)1.4 (0.84, 2.34)0.267 (21%)46 (23%)1.14 (0.68, 1.92)0.6
 Junior136 (27%)66 (27%)70 (26%)1.27 (0.78, 2.06)0.389 (28%)47 (24%)0.88 (0.53, 1.45)0.6
Living situation
 With peers/significant other206 (40%)129 (52%)77 (29%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)152 (48%)54 (28%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 With family295 (58%)108 (44%)187 (71%)2.90 (2.01, 4.21)<0.0012.50 (1.68, 3.73)155 (49%)140 (72%)2.54 (1.74, 3.76)<0.0012.44 (1.59, 3.80)
 Alone10 (2.0%)9 (3.7%)1 (0.4%)9 (2.8%)1 (0.5%)
Financial aid215 (43%)93 (39%)122 (47%)1.39 (0.97, 1.99)0.071127 (42%)88 (45%)1.13 (0.79, 1.63)0.5
Current Relationship status
 In a relationship151 (29%)71 (29%)80 (30%)1.00 (ref)91 (29%)60 (31%)1.00 (ref)
 Not in a relationship362 (71%)176 (71%)186 (70%)0.94 (0.64, 1.37)0.7226 (71%)136 (69%)0.91 (0.62, 1.35)0.6
Social group involvement
 None194 (38%)89 (36%)105 (39%)1.00 (ref)124 (39%)70 (36%)1.00 (ref)
 At least one social group319 (62%)158 (64%)161 (61%)0.86 (0.60, 1.23)0.4193 (61%)126 (64%)1.16 (0.80, 1.68)0.4
Sports involvement
 None403 (79%)188 (76%)215 (81%)1.00 (ref)240 (76%)163 (83%)1.00 (ref)
 At least one sports group71 (14%)34 (14%)37 (14%)0.95 (0.57, 1.58)0.848 (15%)23 (12%)0.71 (0.41, 1.19)0.2
 Missing39 (7.6%)25 (10%)14 (5.3%)29 (9.1%)10 (5.1%)
Since 3 months ago, feel…
 Less lonely195 (38%)106 (43%)89 (34%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)128 (40%)67 (35%)1.00 (ref)
 Same105 (21%)50 (20%)55 (21%)1.31 (0.81, 2.11)0.31.04 (0.62, 1.75)65 (21%)40 (21%)1.18 (0.72, 1.92)0.5
 Lonelier211 (41%)91 (37%)120 (45%)1.57 (1.06, 2.33)0.0241.15 (0.74, 1.78)124 (39%)87 (45%)1.34 (0.90, 2.01)0.2
Has a social support network
 Yes376 (74%)196 (81%)180 (68%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)243 (78%)133 (68%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Uncertain64 (13%)27 (11%)37 (14%)1.49 (0.88, 2.57)0.141.39 (0.77, 2.53)38 (12%)26 (13%)1.25 (0.72, 2.14)0.41.17 (0.64, 2.10)
 No66 (13%)20 (8.2%)46 (17%)2.5 (1.45, 4.48)0.0012.53 (1.38, 4.83)30 (9.6%)36 (18%)2.19 (1.29, 3.74)0.0042.31 (1.34, 4.14)
Current smoking35 (6.8%)20 (8.1%)15 (5.6%)0.68 (0.33, 1.35)0.322 (7.0%)13 (6.6%)0.95 (0.46, 1.91)0.9
Alcohol consumption
 Never/rare353 (69%)162 (66%)191 (72%)1.00 (ref)215 (68%)138 (70%)1.00 (ref)
 Moderate/high160 (31%)85 (34%)75 (28%)0.75 (0.51, 1.09)0.13102 (32%)58 (30%)0.89 (0.60, 1.30)0.5
Drug use
 Never/rare409 (80%)191 (77%)218 (82%)1.00 (ref)248 (78%)161 (82%)1.00 (ref)
 Monthly/weekly/daily104 (20%)56 (23%)48 (18%)0.75 (0.51, 1.09)0.1369 (22%)35 (18%)0.78 (0.49, 1.22)0.3
Recent sexual activity
 No310 (61%)144 (58%)166 (63%)1.00 (ref)181 (57%)129 (66%)1.00 (ref)
 Yes193 (38%)100 (40%)93 (35%)0.81 (0.56, 1.16)0.2132 (42%)61 (31%)0.65 (0.44, 0.94)0.025
 Missing9 (1.8%)3 (1.2%)6 (2.3%)4 (1.3%)5 (2.6%)
Condom use status
 Not sexually active319 (64%)146 (61%)173 (67%)1.00 (ref)186 (60%)133 (70%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Sexually active, not using condoms80 (16%)43 (18%)37 (14%)0.73 (0.44, 1.19)0.257 (18%)23 (12%)0.56 (0.33, 0.95)0.0350.6 (0.32, 1.09)
 Sexually active, using condoms101 (20%)51 (21%)50 (19%)0.83 (0.53, 1.30)0.467 (22%)34 (18%)0.71 (0.44, 1.13)0.20.95 (0.55, 1.62)
Response to COVID-19 symptoms
 Did not seek healthcare or isolate17 (3.3%)5 (2.0%)12 (4.5%)1.00 (ref)7 (2.2%)10 (5.1%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Never had symptoms402 (78%)210 (85%)192 (72%)0.38 (0.12, 1.05)0.075263 (83%)139 (71%)0.37 (0.13, 0.98)0.0480.36 (0.12, 1.00)
 Isolated36 (7.0%)14 (5.7%)22 (8.3%)0.65 (0.18, 2.19)0.520 (6.3%)16 (8.2%)0.56 (0.17, 1.78)0.30.55 (0.15, 1.85)
 Sought healthcare58 (11%)18 (7.3%)40 (15%)0.93 (0.26, 2.91)0.927 (8.5%)31 (16%)0.8 (0.26, 2.38)0.71.06 (0.32, 3.39)
Effects of COVID-19 on sexual behavior
 No effect309 (61%)143 (58%)166 (64%)1.00 (ref)184 (59%)125 (64%)1.00 (ref)
 Any effect191 (38%)100 (40%)91 (35%)0.78 (0.55, 1.12)0.2128 (41%)63 (32%)0.72 (0.50, 1.05)0.094
 Other8 (1.6%)4 (1.6%)4 (1.5%)0.86 (0.20, 3.70)0.82 (0.6%)6 (3.1%)4.42 (1.00, 30.5)0.072
Current hormonal contraceptive use183 (36%)95 (39%)88 (33%)0.79 (0.55, 1.13)0.2117 (37%)66 (34%)0.86 (0.59, 1.25)0.4

Sample characteristics and experience and perpetration of violence at T1 (December 2020–January 2021).

Median (IQR); n (%).

For living situation, we omitted the alone response category from all regressions due to small cell sizes.

When recent sexual activity and condom use behaviors were both eligible for multivariable inclusion, we opted for condom use behaviors because it was more informative.

Bold values are statistically significant.

Adjusted correlates of experienced and perpetrated violence

T1

Table 1 also contains the descriptive, unadjusted, and adjusted analyses of experienced and perpetrated violence at T1. Overall, 52% (266/513) of respondents experienced violence [89% verbal, 10% poly-victimization (verbal & physical), 1% physical] (Figure 1). In the adjusted model, living with family vs. peers/significant others [aOR=2.50 (1.68–3.73)] and lack of social support [aOR = 2.53 (1.38–4.83)] were associated with experienced violence.

Figure 1

Comparatively, 38% (196/513) reported perpetrating violence (92% verbal, 7% poly-perpetration, 1% physical). After adjustment, living with family vs. peers/significant others [aOR = 2.44 (1.59, 3.80)] and lack of social support [aOR = 2.31 (1.34, 4.14)] were associated with increased perpetration.

T2

Table 2 highlights experienced and perpetrated violence during the second survey. Overall, 30% (90/305) reported experiencing violence (87% verbal, 12% poly-victimization, 1% physical). Respondents living with family vs. peers/significant others [aOR = 4.95 (2.74–9.10)] and those not feeling strong social support (uncertain support: aOR = 2.47 [1.21–5.01]; no support: aOR = 2.75 [1.20–6.28]) had a higher odds of experiencing violence.

Table 2

CharacteristicOverall, N = 305Experienced violencePerpetrated violence
Did not experience, N = 215Experienced, N = 90OR (95% CI)p-valueaOR (95% CI)Did not experience, N = 253Perpetrated, N = 52OR (95% CI)p-valueaOR (95% CI)
Age20.00 (19.00, 21.00)20.00 (19.00, 21.00)19.50 (18.25, 20.75)0.93 (0.77, 1.13)0.520.00 (19.00, 21.00)20.00 (19.00, 21.00)1.13 (0.90, 1.43)0.3
Race
 White184 (63%)133 (64%)51 (61%)1.00 (ref)162 (66%)22 (47%)1.00 (ref)
 Asian59 (20%)39 (19%)20 (24%)1.34 (0.70, 2.49)0.444 (18%)15 (32%)2.51 (1.19, 5.22)0.0141.69 (0.74, 3.75)
 Other/multiracial50 (17%)37 (18%)13 (15%)0.92 (0.44, 1.83)0.840 (16%)10 (21%)1.84 (0.78, 4.11)0.151.73 (0.71, 4.01)
Ethnicity
 Not Hispanic257 (86%)179 (84%)78 (90%)1.00 (ref)216 (86%)41 (84%)1.00 (ref)
 Hispanic42 (14%)33 (16%)9 (10%)0.63 (0.27, 1.32)0.234 (14%)8 (16%)1.24 (0.50, 2.76)0.6
School year
 Senior65 (21%)46 (21%)19 (21%)1.00 (ref)49 (19%)16 (31%)1.00 (ref)
 First-year89 (29%)60 (28%)29 (32%)1.17 (0.59, 2.37)0.775 (30%)14 (27%)0.57 (0.25, 1.28)0.2
 Sophomore61 (20%)44 (21%)17 (19%)0.94 (0.43, 2.03)0.951 (20%)10 (19%)0.6 (0.24, 1.43)0.3
 Junior89 (29%)64 (30%)25 (28%)0.95 (0.47, 1.93)0.977 (31%)12 (23%)0.48 (0.20, 1.09)0.081
Living situation
 With peers/significant other233 (76%)180 (84%)53 (59%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)206 (81%)27 (52%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 With family64 (21%)27 (13%)37 (41%)4.65 (2.61, 8.41)<0.0014.95 (2.74, 9.10)40 (16%)24 (46%)4.58 (2.40, 8.76)<0.0013.71 (1.81, 7.58)
 Alone8 (2.6%)8 (3.7%)0 (0%)7 (2.8%)1 (1.9%)
Financial aid120 (41%)86 (42%)34 (39%)0.87 (0.52, 1.45)0.6102 (42%)18 (35%)0.75 (0.39, 1.39)0.4
Current relationship Status
 In a relationship93 (31%)66 (31%)27 (30%)1.00 (ref)76 (30%)17 (33%)1.00 (ref)
 Not in a relationship211 (69%)148 (69%)63 (70%)1.04 (0.61, 1.80)0.9176 (70%)35 (67%)0.89 (0.47, 1.72)0.7
Social group involvement
 None156 (51%)109 (51%)47 (52%)1.00 (ref)132 (52%)24 (46%)1.00 (ref)
 At least one social group149 (49%)106 (49%)43 (48%)0.94 (0.57, 1.54)0.8121 (48%)28 (54%)1.27 (0.70, 2.33)0.4
Sports involvement
 None258 (85%)183 (85%)75 (83%)1.00 (ref)212 (84%)46 (88%)1.00 (ref)
 At least one sports group20 (6.6%)12 (5.6%)8 (8.9%)1.63 (0.62, 4.09)0.317 (6.7%)3 (5.8%)0.81 (0.18, 2.55)0.7
 Missing27 (8.9%)20 (9.3%)7 (7.8%)24 (9.5%)3 (5.8%)
Since 3 months ago, feel…
 Less lonely139 (46%)103 (48%)36 (40%)1.00 (ref)116 (46%)23 (45%)1.00 (ref)
 Same68 (22%)48 (22%)20 (22%)1.19 (0.62, 2.26)0.653 (21%)15 (29%)1.43 (0.68, 2.93)0.3
 Lonelier97 (32%)64 (30%)33 (37%)1.48 (0.84, 2.60)0.284 (33%)13 (25%)0.78 (0.37, 1.61)0.5
Has a social support network
 Yes227 (74%)170 (79%)57 (63%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)191 (75%)36 (69%)1.00 (ref)
 Uncertain46 (15%)27 (13%)19 (21%)2.1 (1.08, 4.04)0.0272.47 (1.21, 5.01)39 (15%)7 (13%)0.95 (0.37, 2.18)>0.9
 No32 (10%)18 (8.4%)14 (16%)2.32 (1.07, 4.95)0.032.75 (1.20, 6.28)23 (9.1%)9 (17%)2.08 (0.85, 4.73)0.092
Current smoking22 (7.2%)15 (7.0%)7 (7.8%)1.12 (0.42, 2.77)0.819 (7.5%)3 (5.8%)0.75 (0.17, 2.32)0.7
Alcohol consumption
 Never/rare197 (65%)145 (67%)52 (58%)1.00 (ref)164 (65%)33 (65%)1.00 (ref)
 Moderate/high107 (35%)70 (33%)37 (42%)1.47 (0.88, 2.45)0.1489 (35%)18 (35%)1.01 (0.53, 1.87)>0.9
Drug use
 Never/rare235 (78%)167 (78%)68 (77%)1.00 (ref)197 (78%)38 (75%)1.00 (ref)
 Monthly/weekly/daily68 (22%)48 (22%)20 (23%)1.02 (0.56, 1.83)>0.955 (22%)13 (25%)1.23 (0.59, 2.41)0.6
Recent sexual activity
 No187 (62%)129 (60%)58 (64%)1.00 (ref)158 (63%)29 (56%)1.00 (ref)
 Yes111 (37%)81 (38%)30 (33%)0.82 (0.49, 1.38)0.590 (36%)21 (40%)1.27 (0.68, 2.35)0.4
 Missing6 (2.0%)4 (1.9%)2 (2.2%)4 (1.6%)2 (3.8%)
Condom use status
 Not sexually active191 (65%)131 (63%)60 (68%)1.00 (ref)160 (65%)31 (61%)1.00 (ref)
 Sexually active, not using condoms48 (16%)37 (18%)11 (12%)0.65 (0.30, 1.32)0.342 (17%)6 (12%)0.74 (0.26, 1.77)0.5
 Sexually active, using condoms57 (19%)40 (19%)17 (19%)0.93 (0.48, 1.75)0.843 (18%)14 (27%)1.68 (0.80, 3.39)0.2
Response to COVID-19 symptoms
 Did not seek healthcare or isolate5 (1.7%)4 (1.9%)1 (1.1%)1.00 (ref)5 (2.0%)0 (0%)0.00 (0.00, 0.00)>0.9
 Never had symptoms269 (89%)192 (90%)77 (86%)1.6 (0.23, 31.6)0.7222 (88%)47 (90%)1.00 (ref)
 Isolated9 (3.0%)4 (1.9%)5 (5.6%)5 (0.48, 121)0.28 (3.2%)1 (1.9%)0.59 (0.03, 3.33)0.6
 Sought healthcare20 (6.6%)13 (6.1%)7 (7.8%)2.15 (0.25, 46.6)0.516 (6.4%)4 (7.7%)1.18 (0.33, 3.39)0.8
Effects of COVID-19 on sexual behavior
 No effect184 (62%)131 (62%)53 (60%)1.00 (ref)155 (62%)29 (57%)1.00 (ref)
 Any effect110 (37%)76 (36%)34 (39%)1.11 (0.66, 1.85)0.788 (35%)22 (43%)1.34 (0.72, 2.46)0.4
 Other5 (1.7%)4 (1.9%)1 (1.1%)0.62 (0.03, 4.30)0.75 (2.0%)0 (0%)0.00 (0.00, 0.00)>0.9
Current hormonal contraceptive use118 (39%)82 (38%)36 (40%)1.1 (0.66, 1.82)0.7100 (40%)18 (35%)0.8 (0.42, 1.49)0.5

Sample characteristics and experience and perpetration of violence at T2 (March-April 2021).

Median (IQR); n (%).

For living situation, we omitted the alone response category from all regressions due to small cell sizes.

Bold values are statistically significant.

Approximately 17% of respondents reported perpetrating violence (87% verbal, 12% poly-perpetration, 2% physical). After statistical adjustment, living with family vs. peers/significant others was the only variable associated with perpetrating violence [aOR = 3.71 (1.81–7.58)].

T3

Table 3 presents experienced and perpetrated violence at T3. Approximately 1 in 3 respondents experienced violence (81% verbal, 19% poly-victimization). Other/Multiracial identity [aOR = 6.01 (2.31–16.40)], living with family vs. peers/significant others [aOR = 4.77 (2.24–10.9)], and uncertain [aOR = 3.39 (1.33, 8.87)] or no [aOR = 5.23 (1.53–18.8)] social support were associated with higher odds of experienced violence.

Table 3

CharacteristicOverall, N = 238Experienced violencePerpetrated violence
Did not experience, N = 160Experienced, N = 78OR (95% CI)p-valueaOR (95% CI)Did not perpetrate, N = 188Perpetrated, N = 50OR (95% CI)p-valueaOR (95% CI)
Age20.00 (18.00, 20.00)20.00 (19.00, 20.00)19.00 (18.00, 20.00)0.91 (0.73, 1.13)0.420.00 (18.00, 20.00)19.00 (18.25, 20.00)0.98 (0.76, 1.26)>0.9
Race
 White141 (61%)106 (68%)35 (47%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)117 (64%)24 (50%)1.00 (ref)
 Asian57 (25%)34 (22%)23 (31%)2.05 (1.06, 3.94)0.0312.00 (0.90, 4.49)43 (24%)14 (29%)1.59 (0.74, 3.32)0.2
 Other/multiracial32 (14%)16 (10%)16 (22%)3.03 (1.37, 6.73)0.0066.01 (2.31, 16.4)22 (12%)10 (21%)2.22 (0.90, 5.20)0.072
Ethnicity
 Not Hispanic201 (87%)134 (86%)67 (88%)1.00 (ref)157 (85%)44 (92%)1.00 (ref)
 Hispanic31 (13%)22 (14%)9 (12%)0.82 (0.34, 1.82)0.627 (15%)4 (8.3%)0.53 (0.15, 1.44)0.3
School year
 Senior38 (16%)24 (15%)14 (18%)1.00 (ref)28 (15%)10 (20%)1.00 (ref)
 First-year80 (34%)49 (31%)31 (40%)1.08 (0.49, 2.45)0.861 (32%)19 (38%)0.87 (0.36, 2.18)0.8
 Sophomore47 (20%)29 (18%)18 (23%)1.06 (0.44, 2.60)0.938 (20%)9 (18%)0.66 (0.23, 1.85)0.4
 Junior73 (31%)58 (36%)15 (19%)0.44 (0.18, 1.06)0.06761 (32%)12 (24%)0.55 (0.21, 1.45)0.2
Living situation
 With peers/significant other101 (44%)84 (55%)17 (22%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)93 (51%)8 (17%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 With family125 (54%)67 (44%)58 (75%)4.28 (2.32, 8.21)<0.0014.77 (2.24, 10.9)87 (47%)38 (81%)5.08 (2.35, 12.3)<0.0017.18 (2.99, 20.4)
 Alone5 (2.2%)3 (1.9%)2 (2.6%)4 (2.2%)1 (2.1%)
Financial aid98 (43%)60 (39%)38 (49%)1.49 (0.86, 2.60)0.273 (41%)25 (51%)1.53 (0.81, 2.89)0.2
Current relationship status
 In a relationship79 (33%)57 (36%)22 (28%)1.00 (ref)60 (32%)19 (38%)1.00 (ref)
 Not in a relationship158 (67%)102 (64%)56 (72%)1.42 (0.80, 2.60)0.2127 (68%)31 (62%)0.77 (0.41, 1.49)0.4
Social group involvement
 None150 (63%)101 (63%)49 (63%)1.00 (ref)123 (65%)27 (54%)1.00 (ref)
 At least one social group88 (37%)59 (37%)29 (37%)1.01 (0.58, 1.77)>0.965 (35%)23 (46%)1.61 (0.85, 3.03)0.14
Sports involvement
 None209 (88%)142 (89%)67 (86%)1.00 (ref)163 (87%)46 (92%)1.00 (ref)
 At least one sports group12 (5.0%)8 (5.0%)4 (5.1%)1.06 (0.27, 3.49)>0.911 (5.9%)1 (2.0%)0.32 (0.02, 1.72)0.3
 Missing17 (7.1%)10 (6.2%)7 (9.0%)14 (7.4%)3 (6.0%)
Since 3 months ago, feel…
 Less lonely135 (57%)90 (56%)45 (58%)1.00 (ref)106 (56%)29 (58%)1.00 (ref)
 Same51 (21%)39 (24%)12 (15%)0.62 (0.28, 1.26)0.243 (23%)8 (16%)0.68 (0.27, 1.55)0.4
 Lonelier52 (22%)31 (19%)21 (27%)1.35 (0.70, 2.61)0.439 (21%)13 (26%)1.22 (0.56, 2.54)0.6
Has a social support network
 Yes185 (79%)131 (83%)54 (70%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)154 (83%)31 (62%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Uncertain27 (11%)13 (8.2%)14 (18%)2.61 (1.15, 5.99)0.0223.39 (1.33, 8.87)16 (8.6%)11 (22%)3.42 (1.42, 8.03)0.0053.32 (1.30, 8.40)
 No23 (9.8%)14 (8.9%)9 (12%)1.56 (0.62, 3.77)0.35.23 (1.53, 18.8)15 (8.1%)8 (16%)2.65 (1.03, 6.79)0.0426.73 (2.00, 23.8)
Current smoking23 (9.8%)15 (9.5%)8 (10%)1.11 (0.43, 2.67)0.816 (8.6%)7 (14%)1.77 (0.65, 4.44)0.2
Alcohol consumption
 Never/rare149 (63%)98 (61%)51 (65%)1.00 (ref)117 (62%)32 (64%)1.00 (ref)
 Moderate/high89 (37%)62 (39%)27 (35%)0.84 (0.47, 1.46)0.571 (38%)18 (36%)0.93 (0.48, 1.76)0.8
Drug use
 Never/rare191 (81%)129 (81%)62 (81%)1.00 (ref)151 (81%)40 (80%)1.00 (ref)
 Monthly/weekly/daily46 (19%)31 (19%)15 (19%)1.01 (0.50, 1.98)>0.936 (19%)10 (20%)1.05 (0.46, 2.23)>0.9
Recent sexual activity
 No127 (54%)78 (49%)49 (63%)1.00 (ref)99 (53%)28 (56%)1.00 (ref)
 Yes105 (44%)78 (49%)27 (35%)0.55 (0.31, 0.96)0.03984 (45%)21 (42%)0.88 (0.46, 1.66)0.7
 Missing5 (2.1%)3 (1.9%)2 (2.6%)4 (2.1%)1 (2.0%)
Condom use status
 Not sexually active127 (56%)78 (52%)49 (65%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)99 (56%)28 (57%)1.00 (ref)
 Sexually active, not using condoms35 (16%)29 (19%)6 (8.0%)0.33 (0.12, 0.80)0.0220.38 (0.10, 1.18)28 (16%)7 (14%)0.88 (0.33, 2.15)0.8
 Sexually active, using condoms63 (28%)43 (29%)20 (27%)0.74 (0.39, 1.39)0.41.67 (0.71, 3.98)49 (28%)14 (29%)1.01 (0.48, 2.06)>0.9
Response to COVID-19 symptoms
 Did not seek healthcare or isolate11 (4.6%)8 (5.0%)3 (3.9%)1.00 (ref)8 (4.3%)3 (6.0%)1.00 (ref)
 Never had symptoms213 (90%)144 (90%)69 (90%)1.28 (0.36, 5.97)0.7171 (91%)42 (84%)0.65 (0.18, 3.09)0.5
 Isolated3 (1.3%)2 (1.3%)1 (1.3%)1.33 (0.05, 20.2)0.81 (0.5%)2 (4.0%)5.33 (0.38, 144)0.2
 Sought healthcare10 (4.2%)6 (3.8%)4 (5.2%)1.78 (0.28, 12.2)0.57 (3.7%)3 (6.0%)1.14 (0.16, 8.07)0.9
Effects of COVID-19 on sexual behavior
 No effect175 (74%)114 (72%)61 (79%)1.00 (ref)138 (74%)37 (76%)1.00 (ref)
 Any effect56 (24%)41 (26%)15 (19%)0.68 (0.34, 1.31)0.345 (24%)11 (22%)0.91 (0.41, 1.89)0.8
 Other4 (1.7%)3 (1.9%)1 (1.3%)0.62 (0.03, 4.98)0.73 (1.6%)1 (2.0%)1.24 (0.06, 10.0)0.9
Current hormonal contraceptive use95 (40%)64 (40%)31 (40%)0.99 (0.57, 1.72)>0.972 (38%)23 (46%)1.37 (0.73, 2.57)0.3

Sample characteristics and experience and perpetration of violence at T3 (July–August 2021).

Median (IQR); n (%).

For living situation, we omitted the alone response category from all regressions due to small cell sizes.

When recent sexual activity and condom use behaviors were both eligible for multivariable inclusion, we opted for condom use behaviors because it was more informative.

Around 1 in 5 students perpetrated physical violence (80% verbal, 18% poly-perpetration, 2% physical). Reports of perpetrated violence were associated with living with family vs. peers/significant others [aOR = 7.18 (2.99–20.4)] and lacking social support (uncertain support: aOR = 3.32 [1.30–8.40]; no support: aOR = 6.73 [2.00–23.8]).

T4

Table 4 shows descriptive, unadjusted and adjusted associations at T4. Overall, 17% reported experiencing violence (94% verbal, 6% poly-victimization) and 9% reported perpetrating violence (82% verbal, 12% poly-perpetration, 6% physical). Ultimately, no factors were associated with violence experience.

Table 4

CharacteristicOverall, N = 180Experienced violencePerpetrated violence
Did not experience, N = 149Experienced, N = 31OR (95% CI)p-valueaOR (95% CI)Did not perpetrate, N = 163Perpetrated, N = 17OR (95% CI)p-valueaOR (95% CI)
Age19.50 (19.00, 20.00)19.00 (19.00, 20.00)20.00 (19.00, 20.50)1.07 (0.78, 1.47)0.719.00 (18.00, 20.00)20.00 (19.00, 21.00)1.64 (1.09, 2.53)0.0191.31 (0.42, 3.70)
Race
 White106 (61%)91 (63%)15 (52%)1.00 (ref)95 (60%)11 (73%)1.00 (ref)
 Asian41 (24%)33 (23%)8 (28%)1.47 (0.55, 3.72)0.439 (25%)2 (13%)0.44 (0.07, 1.75)0.3
 Other/multiracial26 (15%)20 (14%)6 (21%)1.82 (0.59, 5.11)0.324 (15%)2 (13%)0.72 (0.11, 2.92)0.7
Ethnicity
 Not Hispanic153 (87%)130 (89%)23 (79%)1.00 (ref)141 (89%)12 (75%)1.00 (ref)
 Hispanic22 (13%)16 (11%)6 (21%)2.12 (0.70, 5.77)0.218 (11%)4 (25%)2.61 (0.68, 8.45)0.13
School year
 Senior28 (16%)21 (14%)7 (23%)1.00 (ref)23 (14%)5 (29%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 First-year59 (33%)51 (34%)8 (26%)0.47 (0.15, 1.50)0.258 (36%)1 (5.9%)0.08 (0.00, 0.53)0.0240.57 (0.01, 24.7)
 Sophomore38 (21%)30 (20%)8 (26%)0.8 (0.25, 2.60)0.734 (21%)4 (24%)0.54 (0.12, 2.25)0.42.52 (0.14, 45.6)
 Junior55 (31%)47 (32%)8 (26%)0.51 (0.16, 1.63)0.248 (29%)7 (41%)0.67 (0.19, 2.48)0.53.13 (0.35, 35.3)
Living situation
 With peers/significant other152 (94%)128 (96%)24 (86%)1.00 (ref)142 (96%)10 (71%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 With family10 (6.2%)6 (4.5%)4 (14%)3.56 (0.86, 13.4)0.0636 (4.1%)4 (29%)9.47 (2.14, 39.1)0.00213.00 (1.98, 95.5)
 Alone0 (0%)0 (0%)0 (0%)0 (0%)0 (0%)
Financial aid66 (40%)53 (38%)13 (46%)1.39 (0.61, 3.16)0.461 (40%)5 (33%)0.74 (0.22, 2.18)0.6
Current Relationship status
 In a relationship79 (44%)68 (46%)11 (35%)1.00 (ref)72 (44%)7 (41%)1.00 (ref)
 Not in a relationship101 (56%)81 (54%)20 (65%)1.53 (0.69, 3.51)0.391 (56%)10 (59%)1.13 (0.41, 3.25)0.8
Social group involvement
 None78 (43%)62 (42%)16 (52%)1.00 (ref)71 (44%)7 (41%)1.00 (ref)
 At least one social group102 (57%)87 (58%)15 (48%)0.67 (0.30, 1.46)0.392 (56%)10 (59%)1.1 (0.40, 3.17)0.9
Sports involvement
 None144 (90%)120 (90%)24 (89%)1.00 (ref)130 (90%)14 (93%)1.00 (ref)
 At least one sports group16 (10%)13 (9.8%)3 (11%)1.15 (0.25, 3.92)0.815 (10%)1 (6.7%)0.62 (0.03, 3.43)0.7
 Missing0 (0%)0 (0%)0 (0%)0 (0%)0 (0%)
Since 3 months ago, feel…
 Less lonely107 (60%)90 (61%)17 (57%)1.00 (ref)96 (59%)11 (69%)1.00 (ref)
 Same39 (22%)35 (24%)4 (13%)0.61 (0.17, 1.77)0.437 (23%)2 (12%)0.47 (0.07, 1.87)0.3
 Lonelier32 (18%)23 (16%)9 (30%)2.07 (0.79, 5.18)0.1229 (18%)3 (19%)0.9 (0.19, 3.13)0.9
Has a social support network
 Yes151 (86%)124 (85%)27 (90%)1.00 (ref)137 (86%)14 (88%)1.00 (ref)
 Uncertain18 (10%)15 (10%)3 (10%)0.92 (0.20, 3.03)0.916 (10%)2 (12%)1.22 (0.18, 4.93)0.8
 No7 (4.0%)7 (4.8%)0 (0%)0.00 (0.00, 0.00)>0.97 (4.4%)0 (0%)0.00 (0.00, 0.00)>0.9
Current smoking13 (7.3%)9 (6.1%)4 (13%)2.27 (0.58, 7.54)0.212 (7.5%)1 (5.9%)0.78 (0.04, 4.35)0.8
Alcohol consumption
 Never/rare106 (59%)87 (59%)19 (61%)1.00 (ref)98 (60%)8 (47%)1.00 (ref)
 Moderate/high73 (41%)61 (41%)12 (39%)0.9 (0.40, 1.97)0.864 (40%)9 (53%)1.72 (0.63, 4.81)0.3
Drug use
 Never/rare136 (76%)114 (77%)22 (71%)1.00 (ref)123 (76%)13 (76%)1.00 (ref)
 Monthly/weekly/daily43 (24%)34 (23%)9 (29%)1.37 (0.55, 3.18)0.539 (24%)4 (24%)0.97 (0.26, 2.93)>0.9
Recent sexual activity
 No78 (45%)67 (46%)11 (38%)1.00 (ref)74 (46%)4 (27%)1.00 (ref)
 Yes97 (55%)79 (54%)18 (62%)1.39 (0.62, 3.23)0.486 (54%)11 (73%)2.37 (0.77, 8.82)0.2
 Missing0 (0%)0 (0%)0 (0%)0 (0%)0 (0%)
Condom use status
 Not sexually active79 (45%)68 (47%)11 (38%)1.00 (ref)75 (47%)4 (25%)1.00 (ref)
 Sexually active, not using condoms34 (20%)30 (21%)4 (14%)0.82 (0.21, 2.63)0.831 (20%)3 (19%)1.81 (0.34, 8.70)0.5
 Sexually active, using condoms61 (35%)47 (32%)14 (48%)1.84 (0.77, 4.49)0.252 (33%)9 (56%)3.25 (1.00, 12.5)0.061
Response to COVID-19 Symptoms
 Did not seek healthcare or isolate8 (4.7%)7 (4.9%)1 (3.6%)1.00 (ref)6 (3.9%)2 (12%)1.00 (ref)
 Never had symptoms137 (81%)114 (80%)23 (82%)1.41 (0.24, 27.1)0.8128 (83%)9 (56%)0.21 (0.04, 1.58)0.079
 Isolated12 (7.1%)9 (6.3%)3 (11%)2.33 (0.24, 53.1)0.58 (5.2%)4 (25%)1.5 (0.21, 13.6)0.7
 Sought healthcare13 (7.6%)12 (8.5%)1 (3.6%)0.58 (0.02, 16.3)0.712 (7.8%)1 (6.2%)0.25 (0.01, 3.12)0.3
Effects of COVID-19 on sexual behavior
 No effect144 (82%)118 (81%)26 (84%)1.00 (ref)128 (81%)16 (94%)1.00 (ref)
 Any effect31 (18%)26 (18%)5 (16%)0.87 (0.28, 2.33)0.830 (19%)1 (5.9%)0.27 (0.01, 1.39)0.2
 Other1 (0.6%)1 (0.7%)0 (0%)0.00 (0.00, 0.00)>0.91 (0.6%)0 (0%)0.00 (0.00, 0.00)>0.9
Current hormonal contraceptive use80 (45%)63 (43%)17 (55%)1.62 (0.74, 3.57)0.270 (43%)10 (59%)1.86 (0.68, 5.35)0.2

Sample characteristics and experience and perpetration of violence at T4 (November-December 2021).

Median (IQR); n (%).

For living situation, we omitted the alone response category from all regressions due to small cell sizes.

Bold values are statistically significant.

For violence perpetration, living with family was associated with increased reports of violence perpetration [aOR = 13.00 (1.98–95.5)].

Longitudinal trends in experienced and perpetrated violence: GEE of population average

The GEE sub-sample (N = 120) displayed similar outcome trends as the overall sample (Supplementary Table S3). Table 5 shows the unadjusted and adjusted associations estimated by the GEE model. Other/Multiracial identity [aOR = 2.33 (1.25–4.33), ref: White], living with family [aOR = 3.62 (2.24–5.83)], loneliness [aOR = 2.36 (1.36–4.12)], and condom use [aOR = 2.07 (1.20–3.57)] were associated with higher levels of experienced violence over time.

Table 5

Baseline characteristicOverall N = 120Experienced violencePerpetrated violence
UnadjustedAdjusted N = 111UnadjustedAdjusted N = 113
OR (95% CI)p-valueaOR (95% CI)OR (95% CI)p-valueaOR (95% CI)
Age19.5 (19.0, 20.0)0.95 (0.80, 1.11)0.501.18 (0.98, 1.43)0.09
Race
 White72 (63%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Asian27 (23%)1.83 (1.13, 2.95)0.011.52 (0.87, 2.66)1.38 (0.77, 2.45)0.28
 Other/multiracial16 (14%)2.07 (1.17, 3.67)0.012.33 (1.25, 4.33)1.90 (0.99, 3.65)0.053
Ethnicity
 Not Hispanic103 (88%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Hispanic14 (12%)0.77 (0.40, 1.45)0.410.98 (0.47, 2.02)0.951.28 (0.82, 2.00)
School year
 Senior20 (17%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 First-year40 (33%)0.89 (0.50, 1.58)0.700.39 (0.20, 0.74)0.0040.36 (0.18, 0.75)
 Sophomore23 (19%)1.00 (0.53, 1.88)0.990.61 (0.31, 1.21)0.160.69 (0.32, 1.48)
 Junior37 (31%)0.65 (0.36, 1.19)0.160.36 (0.19, 0.70)0.0030.37 (0.17, 0.81)
Living situation
 Friends/roommate/significant other41 (35%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Family76 (65%)4.10 (2.70, 6.23)< 0.0013.62 (2.24, 5.83)3.91 (2.38, 6.43)< 0.0014.59 (2.68, 7.86)
Financial aid
 No72 (63%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Yes42 (37%)1.47 (0.98, 2.21)0.061.68 (1.05, 2.70)0.03
Feeling social support
 Yes93 (78%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Don't know16 (13%)1.42 (0.77, 2.64)0.260.92 (0.41, 2.06)0.851.18 (0.51, 2.76)
 No11 (9.2%)1.90 (0.94, 3.84)0.073.23 (1.57, 6.68)0.0015.30 (2.19, 12.8)
Loneliness
 Less lonely53 (44%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Same26 (22%)1.08 (0.65, 1.82)0.761.06 (0.59, 1.91)1.17 (0.66, 2.09)0.59
 Lonelier41 (34%)2.39 (1.51, 3.78)< 0.0012.36 (1.36, 4.12)1.19 (0.68, 2.06)0.54
Current relationship status
 With relationship46 (38%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Without relationship74 (62%)1.27 (0.85, 1.90)0.250.92 (0.58, 1.46)0.71
Current smoke
 No114 (96%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Yes5 (4.2%)1.58 (0.74, 3.36)0.241.34 (0.56, 3.24)0.51
Alcohol consumption
 Never/rare86 (72%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Moderate/high34 (28%)0.97 (0.64, 1.47)0.881.14 (0.70, 1.86)0.59
Drug use
 Never/rare102 (85%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Monthly/weekly/daily18 (15%)0.97 (0.58, 1.62)0.900.82 (0.44, 1.53)0.53
Social group involvement
 No social group43 (36%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 At least one social group77 (64%)0.82 (0.56, 1.22)0.331.20 (0.75, 1.91)0.45
Sports group involvement
 No sport group108 (92%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 At least one sport group10 (8.5%)1.02 (0.44, 2.40)0.960.76 (0.25, 2.25)0.61
Recent sexual activity
 No72 (62%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Yes44 (38%)0.82 (0.55, 1.23)0.341.03 (0.65, 1.66)0.89
Condom use status
 Not sexually active76 (66%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Did not use condoms12 (10%)0.46 (0.24, 0.89)0.020.91 (0.42, 1.95)0.53 (0.24, 1.19)0.13
 Used condoms28 (24%)1.01 (0.65, 1.56)0.982.07 (1.20, 3.57)1.24 (0.75, 2.06)0.40
Seeking care
 No care2 (1.7%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 No symptoms103 (86%)1.32 (0.42, 4.14)0.630.54 (0.18, 1.57)0.25
 Self-care6 (5.0%)2.89 (0.66, 12.57)0.160.51 (0.10, 2.61)0.64
 Sought care9 (7.5%)2.23 (0.57, 8.69)0.250.69 (0.17, 2.73)0.71
Sexual behavior affected by COVID-19
 No sex78 (67%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Yes38 (32%)0.92 (0.58, 1.46)0.731.07 (0.63, 1.82)0.79
 Other1 (0.9%)1.16 (0.10, 12.88)0.912.24 (0.20, 25.11)0.51
Current hormone use
 No74 (62%)1.00 (ref)1.00 (ref)
 Yes46 (38%)0.87 (0.58, 1.29)0.471.02 (0.64, 1.61)0.95

Unadjusted and adjusted associations of baseline characteristics and experienced and perpetrated violence using generalized estimating equations (GEE).

Bold values are statistically significant.

Living with family [aOR = 4.59 (2.68–7.86)] and no social support [aOR = 5.30 (2.19–12.80)] were associated with higher levels of perpetrated violence over time, while school year (First year: aOR = 0.36 [0.18–0.75], Junior: aOR = 0.37 [0.17–0.81], ref: Senior) was associated with lower levels of perpetrated violence.

Discussion

In this sample of college women, self-reported experience of violence was high, and the majority of reported violence was verbal. About one-half of respondents experienced verbal/physical violence, and two-fifths of respondents perpetrated verbal/physical violence. Aside from a slight increase at T3, these outcomes decreased over time. Living with family compared with peers/significant others consistently increased odds of experienced (T1-T3) and perpetrated (T1-T4) violence. Low perceived social support also increased odds of violence experienced (T1-T3) and perpetrated (T1, T3) at most time points. Other/Multiracial identity was associated with higher odds of violence experience at T3. We observed proportions up to four times larger than levels estimated from a national survey of college students conducted during the same time. In the national survey, approximately 12% of female respondents experienced verbal violence from partners and non-partners (, , ).

The geographic location of our sample might contribute to this difference. NYC and its metro area were largely considered the epicenter of the early COVID-19 epidemic in America, characterized by the country's highest population density and early case detection and mortality rate. As a result, intensified pandemic-related stress and prolonged shelter-in-place directives may have influenced verbal violence perpetration and experience, respectively.

Data from a national survey of college students found verbal violence experience from all sources was relatively stable during the early pandemic and comparable to pre-pandemic levels (). Conversely, among our study population, violence decreased over the study period, alongside relaxing of shelter-in-place and social distancing protocols, returning to in-person learning, and expanding eligibility and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines. This downward trend likely also reflects increased availability of access by violence victims/perpetrators to the suite of comprehensive support services offered by the host college, spanning the full-spectrum of medical care, psychosocial health care, and wrap-around coordination services. Our survey did not measure uptake of these services; thus, future examinations should consider exploring the potential effect of institutional services and resources on violence outcomes. The slight increase in violence at T3 corresponded with a mild uptick in NYC COVID-19 cases and summer vacation, possibly coinciding with changes in living situation, academic structure, and supportive social outlets, such as sports or arts groups. Of note, though we detected a downtrend trend in violence over the study period, even at the final timepoint, we still observed violence experiences that were five percentage points higher than national estimates ().

The preponderance of experienced and perpetrated violence was verbal. Although not always viewed or perceived as abuse (, ), verbal violence can negatively affect health, psychosocial wellbeing, and development across the life course. A recent systematic review showed that college students' experience of verbal abuse can lead to emotional problems and coping issues, depression and poor mental wellbeing, increased alcohol use, and neurological vulnerabilities. Importantly, these experiences can outwardly manifest as cognitive desensitization, maladaptive beliefs regarding conflict, and increased perpetration and victimization of abuse and violence (). Verbal violence from partners, peers, and/or adults can negatively affect academic achievement, self-esteem, reproductive decision-making, and sociability (); it can also precede and/or co-occur with physical or sexual violence (, , ).

Although not commonly reported, we observed that physical violence among experiencers and perpetrators nearly doubled and tripled, respectively, between T1 and T3. A prior meta-analysis found connections between an increased propensity of woman-perpetrated physical aggression among those reporting interpersonal traumatic events and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (). It is possible that pandemic-induced PTSD symptoms manifested in our participants as time progressed and, subsequently, contributed to the perpetration of physical violence (). The linear, concurrent increase in physical violence experience and perpetration between T1 and T3 also suggests some form of bidirectionality between perpetration and experienced. Also, unlike verbal violence, which consistently had lower perpetration than experience, physical violence perpetration exceeded experience after T2. These observations are interesting because pre-pandemic research among women survivors of IPV has shown that violence experience begets perpetration; independent perpetration (i.e., not in response to experiencing violence) was extremely rare (). The dynamics of violence perpetration by women outside of intimate partner settings may differ; given the paucity of research, additional investigation of woman-perpetrated violence is needed to understand this phenomenon better.

We hypothesized that social connectivity would be associated with violence perpetration and experience, and we found living situation was consistently associated with violence; living with peers/significant others compared to living with family was associated with reduced violence experiences (T1-T3, GEE) and perpetration (T1-T4, GEE). Interruptions in in-person learning and varying availability of on-campus housing because of isolation requirements likely affected decision-making around choice of residence during successive waves of the pandemic. Higher financial, food and health insecurity as a result of the pandemic and associated lockdown policies may have contributed to increased household stress, which in turn may have impacted the likelihood of experiencing or perpetrating violence (, ). It is unclear from our findings whether violence was perpetrated by/enacted on family members themselves, whether there were non-familial members of the household engaged in violence, or whether the residential dynamics led students to have extra-residential relationships that were more likely to contain violence (although the latter is less likely give that relationship status on its own was not linked with violence). Regardless, our findings highlight that students living with family are particularly vulnerable to violence and merit intensified in-person and/or remote outreach and support services for harm mitigation. Flexible housing services, such as enabling early return to campus and/or staying on campus over breaks, may also help decrease violence experience and/or perpetration.

In our study, perceived lack of social support was strongly associated with experience and perpetration of violence at selected timepoints and in the GEE model. Our findings complement previous research, which has found that greater social support and housing services were associated with lower experience of abuse among domestic violence survivors during the pandemic (). Social support may help reduce violence experiences by offering individuals a safe space to retreat to when disagreements are escalating; relatedly, supportive peers may help deescalate and/or regulate emotions before they manifest as enacted verbal/physical violence. Social support interventions have had notable success in increasing social networks and minimizing negative mental health outcomes among violence survivors (). Given the modifiability of social support, colleges should make increased efforts to foster community and create social cohesion, which can attenuate violence among student populations ().

At T3 and in the GEE model, racial identity was linked with violence; students identifying as Other/Multiracial had significantly higher violence experience than White-identifying students. Before the pandemic, non-White race has been identified as a variable associated with an increased risk of IPV (). Other authors have highlighted the unequal experience of violence by women from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds during the pandemic (). The social and economic ramifications of pandemic disruptions had an outsized impact on people who already faced marginalization (). Notably, T3 was the first data collection period that did not coincide with the disbursement of COVID-19 stimulus checks, as the second and final checks were distributed at the beginning of T1 and T2 (). Excluding New York (), several states also ended pandemic employment benefits in June 2021 (). Since financially marginalized populations, including non-dependent college students, benefitted considerably from this governmental support (), financial strain and worry caused by the lack of checks during this survey period might have created a household milieu that facilitated verbal and/or physical violence (, ). Given the student body makeup of the host college, there is also a possibility that some of these students were international students, who were unable to travel home due to travel restrictions (, ). Since most domestic students likely left campus/NYC at T3 for summer break, isolation from peers, friends, and family abroad could have raised tensions among international students. Given their unique circumstances, greater insight into the experiences of international students during COVID-19 is needed.

In our study, moderate/high alcohol consumption was not associated with violence. Alcohol consumption and substance use were noticeably low among our cohort, which could suggest either that social desirability bias affected reported responses or that the study population differed in behavior compared with other college-aged populations (). This finding may also suggest that the high levels of violence experience and perpetration observed in our sample are not meaningfully attributable to alcohol use, either as a coping mechanism for experience or an antecedent for perpetration. However, predictive longitudinal analyses would better illuminate the temporality of these relationships and assess if our findings are null due to contemporaneous measurements.

At T3, students who were sexually active and not using condoms had lower violence experience compared to those who were not sexually active. It is possible that here, lack of condom use signified trust and stability in relationships. Findings from the GEE models support this notion, as condom use—potentially indicating relational instability—and violence experience were positively associated.

There are several limitations to our study. First, since the violence questions were framed around partners or people living in the same domicile, we cannot discern the type of individuals involved in these violence experiences/perpetrations. Future research should try to distinguish between the different types of violence (e.g., intimate partner violence, familial violence, etc.) Second, the last follow-up survey period was in November-December 2021, and we could not assess the correlates of violence experience and perpetration as pandemic experiences slowly became normalized. Third, the analysis relied on self-reported data, which might have introduced recall or social desirability bias. Fourth, since we enrolled participants at a NYC college, generalizability may be limited. Fifth, we cannot establish temporality between the outcomes and correlates given our cross-sectional analyses; however, the longitudinal design enables us to identify temporally persistent and/or unique associations. Sixth, we did not measure exposure to or uptake of specific college-provided services that may have influenced violence prevention, post-care, or perpetration, suggesting there could be some level of unmeasured confounding affecting our analyses. Seventh, we analyzed physical and verbal violence in combination, and we did not measure sexual violence; future research should explore these individually using a larger sample size. Finally, small cell sizes for select variables may have introduced bias and/or affected model convergence.

Conclusions

Violence against women is a persistent global public health crisis that worsened during COVID-19, owing to pandemic countermeasures and increases in stressors worldwide. Historically, college women have been particularly vulnerable to violence, warranting investigation of their experiences during COVID-19. In our sample, violence experience was remarkably high, with verbal violence representing the majority of violence experienced and perpetrated. Living situation and level of social support emerged as important correlates. Understanding modifiable correlates of violence can guide the delivery of interventions to key populations to help mitigate social, relational, and behavioral factors that may increase vulnerability to violence in current and future pandemics. As part of pandemic health preparedness, universities should strengthen violence prevention and support systems for young women by developing programming to promote social cohesion; universities should then assess the impact of their programming on reports of violence in their community. In addition to impacting university practices in this manner, our findings can be used to promote development of university policy on violence and to guide directions for future violence research.

Statements

Data availability statement

The datasets presented in this article are not readily available because of their sensitive nature. Requests to access the datasets should be directed to Deborah A. Theodore, .

Ethics statement

The studies involving humans were approved by Columbia University's institutional review board (#AAAT3032). The studies were conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. The participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.

Author contributions

DAT: Conceptualization, Data curation, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. CJH: Conceptualization, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. SH: Formal Analysis, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Validation. YH: Formal Analysis, Methodology, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. AA: Data curation, Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. BS: Data curation, Methodology, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. CY: Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. SAA-B: Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. CR: Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. EA: Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. JR: Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. JZ: Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. MC: Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Conceptualization, Data curation, Investigation, Project administration, Resources. DC: Conceptualization, Data curation, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Resources. MES: Conceptualization, Data curation, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Resources.

Funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under award numbers 5UM1AI069470-14 and COVID-19 supplement to the award (MS, JZ, DT) and K23AI150378 (JZ). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

Acknowledgments

We are extremely thankful for respondents' participation in this study, as this research would be impossible without their time and effort.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Supplementary material

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frph.2024.1366262/full#supplementary-material

References

Summary

Keywords

adolescent girls and young women, longitudinal analysis, college health, emotional violence, racial disparity

Citation

Theodore DA, Heck CJ, Huang S, Huang Y, Autry A, Sovic B, Yang C, Anderson-Burnett SA, Ray C, Austin E, Rotbert J, Zucker J, Catallozzi M, Castor D and Sobieszczyk ME (2024) Correlates of verbal and physical violence experienced and perpetrated among cisgender college women: serial cross-sections during one year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Front. Reprod. Health 6:1366262. doi: 10.3389/frph.2024.1366262

Received

05 January 2024

Accepted

05 July 2024

Published

25 July 2024

Volume

6 - 2024

Edited by

Charikleia Stefanaki, UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, Greece

Reviewed by

Aymery Constant, École des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique, France

Sumaita Choudhury, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, United States

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Deborah A. Theodore

† These authors have contributed equally to this work

‡ These authors share first authorship

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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