https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Beymer2024

Beymer, M. R., & Rabbitt, M. P. (2024). The association between food insecurity and intimate partner violence among U.S. Army soldiers. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605241253024

This study examined the relative association between marginal food security (i.e., at risk for food insecurity) and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and whether the association was consistent under different circumstances. 2,740 active-duty Soldiers in a committed couple relationship self-reported their risk for food insecurity, IPV victimization experiences in the past 12 months, personal characteristics (e.g., financial stress, adverse childhood experiences [ACEs], anxiety), and military characteristics (e.g., rank). Overall, Soldiers at risk for food insecurity were more likely to screen positive for IPV victimization than those who were food secure, and this association was similar for men and women and those with different racial/ethnic backgrounds, anxiety levels, and military ranks.

https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605241253024

Trauma
Couples
Other

Army

Active Duty

Active duty service member

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Quantitative Study

Beymer, Matthew R., Rabbitt, Matthew P.

Food insecurity in the military ranges between 25% and 33%, significantly higher than the 10.5% for civilians reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the association between food insecurity and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among U.S. Army Soldiers. The secondary objective is to determine if there are any moderating effects in the relationship between food insecurity and IPV victimization by demographic, financial, and mental health covariates. A cross-sectional, online survey was administered by the U.S. Army Public Health Center at an Army installation in 2019; 56% of respondents reported that they were married or in a relationship (n = 2,740). The main predictor was the two-item food insecurity screener (Hunger Vital Signs), which measures marginal food insecurity (encompassing marginal, low, and very low food security). The main outcome was IPV victimization as measured by the Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream scale. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association between marginal food insecurity and IPV victimization, controlling for demographic, financial, and mental health covariates. In a multivariable model, marginally food insecure respondents had 2.05-fold greater adjusted odds of reporting any IPV victimization when compared to highly food secure respondents (95% confidence interval [1.40, 3.00]). The only interaction that was statistically significant was between anxiety and food insecurity on IPV victimization (p = .0034). Interactions by soldier’s military rank, birth sex, and race and ethnicity were not statistically significant. IPV has implications for the emotional and physical health of survivors. In addition, service members who are food insecure may experience similar decrements in emotional and physical health due to suboptimal nutrient intake. By addressing both food insecurity and IPV, the military has the potential to increase the overall well-being of its service members and their dependents.

Article
REACH Publication

intimate partner violence, IPV, Army soldiers, food insecurity

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/08862605241253024

Research Summary

  September 2024