Domestic Violence and Suicidal Ideation Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in the U.S. During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Effects of Risk and Protective Factors

This study investigated the association between domestic violence victimization (DV) and suicide ideation (SI) among middle-aged and older adults in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also investigated two intervening variables – substance use and support from friends – as mediated by anxiety. The study sample comprised 581 respondents aged 41 and older (ages 41 to 80 and older) living in the U.S. at the time of the survey. For data analysis, a parallel and serial mediation model was estimated using the PROCESS macro. For indirect effects, 95% confidence intervals were estimated using bootstrapping (a bootstrap sample size of 5,000 was specified). The findings indicated a significant direct association between DV and SI. DV was also associated with SI through anxiety. The results showed that DV was significantly associated with SI through substance use and anxiety serially, and through support from friends and anxiety serially. The impact of substance use as a risk factor on the association between DV and mental health was greater than the impact of friends’ support as a protective factor on the association. It is vital to raise awareness to prevent domestic violence, substance use, isolation/loneliness, and negative mental health among middle-aged and older adults, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare professionals and faith communities should develop programs and services to promote appropriate coping skills and increase social connectedness and social support for isolated and vulnerable middle-aged and older adults.