Multidimensional Intimate Partner Violence and Sleep Quality in a Cross-Sectional Community Sample

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with a broad range of psychological, emotional, and physical health consequences, yet fewer studies have examined associations between direct IPV victimization experiences, IPV-related functional consequences, and sleep quality. This cross-sectional study examined these associations in a community sample of adults enrolled in the Short Sleep Undermines Cardiometabolic Health Public Health Observational Study (SLUMBRx-PONS). Participants (N = 74) completed the Humiliation, Afraid, Rape, and Kick (HARK) screening instrument, the Abuse Disability Questionnaire (ADQ), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Recent IPV victimization experiences included humiliation (21.6%), fear of a partner (17.6%), forced sexual activity (9.5%), and physical assault (12.2%). Higher HARK total scores were significantly correlated with poorer sleep quality (r = .389, p < .001). Relationship disability, inadequate life control, and substance-related problems were also significantly associated with PSQI global scores. The regression model was statistically significant, F(10, 63) = 5.854, p < .001, accounting for 43.4% of the variability in sleep quality. Higher HARK scores, relationship disability, inadequate life control, and substance-related problems remained independently associated with poorer sleep quality. Overall, both direct IPV victimization experiences and specific domains of IPV-related functional consequences were associated with poorer sleep quality. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating sleep assessment into IPV-related services and developing trauma-informed interventions that address broader IPV-related functional consequences.