Patterns of IPV Polyvictimization and Chronic Health Outcomes: Evidence from a National U.S. Sample

Background: Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) experience a wide range of adverse health outcomes. Prior research has consistently shown that greater frequency and severity of IPV are associated with poorer health. However, much of the existing literature is constrained by small sample sizes, a focus on a single perpetrator (often the most recent partner), and limited attention to the cumulative nature of victimization. In particular, prior studies have largely overlooked polyvictimization, exposure to multiple forms of violence, and/or multiple perpetrators. This study addresses these gaps by leveraging one of the largest and most recent national datasets to examine how distinct patterns of IPV polyvictimization are associated with survivors’ health outcomes.

Method: We used data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey collected in 2015. The study sample included 3,912 IPV survivors. We first conducted latent class analysis (LCA) to identify patterns of IPV polyvictimization based on three IPV types measured as continuous variables: physical violence (range: 0–10 violent acts), sexual violence (0–12), and stalking (0–7). Bivariate analyses were then conducted to examine the associations between IPV polyvictimization and demographic characteristics, as well as chronic health conditions, including asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diabetes, and hypertension. All analyses incorporated survey weights to ensure that the findings are representative of the U.S. adult population.

Result: The LCA identified four polyvictimization patterns: (1) Low Exposure (minimal IPV, 68%); (2) Physical and Sexual Violence (10.7%); (3) Stalking and Sexual Violence (14.4%); and (4) High Polyvictimization (6.9%).
A higher proportion of male survivors was observed in the Low Exposure class compared to female survivors (55.9% vs. 44.1%), whereas the High Polyvictimization class was predominantly female (90.6%). Survivors in the Physical and Sexual Violence and High Polyvictimization classes were more likely to have less than a high school education and lower income (less than $20,000) compared to their counterparts.

Overall, 21.9% of the sample had asthma, 9.4% IBS, 11.0% diabetes, and 29.8% hypertension. Survivors in the Physical and Sexual Violence and High Polyvictimization classes showed a higher prevalence of asthma. Additionally, IBS was more prevalent among those in the High Polyvictimization (18.8%), followed by Physical and Sexual Violence (15.2%) and Stalking and Sexual Violence (12.4%) classes.

Conclusion: Our findings show IPV survivors’ health varies by polyvictimization patterns. The four classes, Low Exposure, Physical and Sexual Violence, Stalking and Sexual Violence, and High Polyvictimization, highlights meaningful heterogeneity, with more severe patterns concentrated among women and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Survivors in the Physical and Sexual Violence and High Polyvictimization classes showed higher risks of asthma and IBS, suggesting that co-occurring IPV forms increase chronic disease burden. Socioeconomic disadvantages faced by marginalized populations, such as poverty, pollution, and healthcare disparities, may also contribute to these poor health conditions. While future research is needed to clarify how these factors shape IPV experiences and health outcomes, healthcare providers are encouraged to consider IPV polyvictimization in clinical assessment and management of adverse health outcomes.