Intimate Partner Violence in China: Risk Factors and Health Consequences in a National Population-Based Survey

William L. Parish, University of Chicago
Tianfu Wang, University of Chicago
Edward O. Laumann, University of Chicago
Suiming Pan, Renmin University of China

This study estimated the national prevalence of, identified risk factors for, and explored the health sequelae of intimate partner hitting in China, including both directionality and severity of hitting. The study included 1,665 women and 1,658 men who had a steady partner from a nationally representative sample of the adult population of China between ages 20 and 64. Irrespective of severity, 34.0% of women and 18.2% of men were hit during the lifetime of their current relationship. Severe hitting was 12.4% for women and 4.9% for men. Significant risk factors for partner hitting included sexual jealousy, alcohol consumption, low male socioeconomic status, and regions other than the coastal provinces. Severe hitting was a significant risk factor for adverse health outcomes for both men and women. Much as in other societies, intimate partner hitting is common in China, and it is correlated with adverse health outcomes for both male and female victims.