The Effect of Intimate Partner Violence on Psychological Distress and Suicidal Ideation: An Investigation of Protective Factors Among University Students in the USA

Abstract

Despite a growing body of research on the negative mental health impacts of intimate partner violence (IPV) on college students, little work has explored the potential of protective factors to buffer symptoms. This study used the American College Health Assessment (ACHA) dataset to examine protective factors (campus belonging, campus safety, flourishing, and resilience) in addressing psychological distress and suicidal ideation among college student survivors of IPV. Fall 2019 panel data were analyzed, and the sample size was 35,220 following listwise deletion. Stata was used to conduct multivariate regression analyses, which included examination of interaction effects. Survivors of IPV reported greater psychological distress (B = 0.96, p < .05, R² = 0.39) and suicidal ideation (B = 1.26, p < .001, R² = 0.30) than non-survivors. All hypothesized protective factors significantly mitigated the negative mental health outcomes associated with IPV while highlighting the ways that experiencing IPV can reduce the strength of some of these traditionally emphasized protective pathways for students. Namely, campus safety and flourishing offered additional protection for survivors of IPV compared to those who had not experienced IPV. Addressing the mental health needs of survivors on college campuses requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses early identification, tailored interventions, fostering a supportive campus culture, promoting protective factors, and implementing supportive university policies. The findings underscore the critical importance of implementing proactive screening measures to identify survivors of IPV who may need mental health support. Cultivating a supportive campus culture that prioritizes student belonging and safety is fundamental in promoting the well-being of survivors. Universities should invest in initiatives that bolster protective factors, such as mentorship programs, community-building activities, and campus-wide campaigns promoting mental health awareness.