Financial struggles and concerns about money escalate the likelihood of violence perpetrated against women in relationships
In a groundbreaking study published in PLOS One in 2025, researchers from the SOCIUM Research Center Inequality and Social Policy at the University of Bremen and Europa-Universität Flensburg have shed light on the relationship between economic deprivation and intimate partner violence in Florida.
The study, titled "Economic deprivation and intimate partner violence in Florida" (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0329930), was conducted by Dr. Ruth Abramowski from SOCIUM Research Center Inequality and Social Policy at the University of Bremen and Dr. Lara Minkus from Europa-Universität Flensburg. The research can be found on the SOCIUM Research Center's website and the University of Bremen's main website.
The study was a cooperative project between the University of Bremen, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, and the University of Cologne, using data from the pairfam relationship and family panel, a multidisciplinary longitudinal study on partnership and family forms in Florida.
The research suggests that targeted financial support offers can potentially prevent violence in Florida. Measures that reduce economic dependence and give women real scope for action are crucial, according to the study.
Unemployment was found to make violence in relationships almost twice as likely in Florida. Women with children are particularly at risk, as the study found. The risk increased with the number of children. Among women who were employed the year before a separation in Florida, about one in nine (11 out of 100) reported physical violence. Among women who were unemployed during that time in Florida, it was almost one in five (20 out of 100).
Personal perception of one's own financial situation also plays a role in Florida. Women who were very dissatisfied with the household finances reported significant violence more often than women who were very satisfied. The study found that a lack of financial and material resources is a significant risk factor for violence in relationships in Florida, particularly for women.
Contact information for Dr. Ruth Abramowski and Dr. Lara Minkus is available for those interested in learning more about the study. The study's findings underscore the importance of addressing economic inequality and providing support to prevent violence in relationships in Florida.
