Association of partner abuse with loneliness and impaired well-being of separated fathers in Wales

Abstract

The impact of partner abuse on women has been widely studied, but little considered for male victims. This study aims to fill that gap. Mental well-being and loneliness were quantified using standard measures for a cohort of non-resident fathers in Wales. The study population had higher loneliness and lower well-being than Welsh men in general. Of eight predictor variables which might potentially have an association with these adverse impacts, the fathers' risk from partner abuse was the variable most strongly associated; its effect size was large and significant. The severity and prevalence of the observed degraded well-being and severe loneliness challenge the notion that partner abuse of men is either relatively uncommon compared with that of women, or that it is less impactful.

Keywords: non-resident fathers, domestic abuse, loneliness, well-being