Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on the Workplace in the United States, 2005-2008 (ICPSR 26041)

Time Period(s) View help for Time Period(s)

Date of Collection View help for Date of Collection

Data Collection Notes View help for Data Collection Notes

Study Purpose View help for Study Purpose

The purpose of this study was to research the effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the workplace. Phase One examined the prevalence of IPV among employed individuals, how IPV affects the personal and professional well-being of employees, and its costs for employers. Phase Two focused more specifically on the interactions between employed IPV victims and their coworkers.

Study Design View help for Study Design

For Phase One (Dataset 1, Phase One Data), a company executive sent an email to all employees, asking them to complete a web-based survey with questions regarding work-family issues. A link to the survey website was embedded in the email. Respondents could request a paper survey if desired. Participation was voluntary, no compensation was given, and respondents did not identify themselves. Due to the sensitive nature of intimate partner violence (IPV) questions, respondents who reported IPV were queried at several points in the survey about their comfort level. If respondents indicated discomfort, they were given the option of ending their participation and were directed to IPV counseling services. Respondents were instructed to complete the survey at work, on company time. Most respondents completed the survey in less than 20 minutes.

For Phase Two (Dataset 2, Phase Two Data), a company executive sent an email to all employees explaining that they would receive an inquiry from researchers at the University of Arkansas requesting their participating in a study on work-family issues. Two days later, researchers sent an email to employees explaining the purpose of the study, their freedom to participate or not, their anonymity if they chose to participate, and a link to the web-based survey. Respondents could request a paper survey if desired. No compensation was given to participants. Respondents were instructed to complete the survey at work, on company time. Most respondents completed the survey in less than 20 minutes. As in the Phase One survey, respondents who reported IPV were queried at several points in the survey about their comfort level. If respondents indicated discomfort, they were given the option of ending their participation and were directed to IPV counseling services. Seventeen respondents exited the survey after the IPV questions in Phase Two.

Sample View help for Sample

The sample for Phase One (Dataset 1, Phase One Data) was composed of 1,588 women and 838 men who worked in three midsized business organizations headquartered in a southern state. The first organization, an insurance provider, employed a primarily female workforce. The second organization, a transportation company, employed a primarily male workforce. The third organization, which had a balanced workforce, was a university in which staff members were surveyed. Although all three organizations were headquartered in one state, they also had operations in 38 other states. Overall, 26 percent of the respondents in the sample were from states other than the headquarter state.

The sample for Phase Two (Dataset 2, Phase Two Data) was composed of 2,063 women and 688 men who worked in a midsized financial services institution headquartered in a southern state.

Time Method View help for Time Method

Universe View help for Universe

For dataset 1 (Phase One Data) the universe was all employees who worked in three midsized business organizations headquartered in a southern state between 2005 and 2008. For dataset 2 (Phase Two Data) the universe was all employees who worked in a midsized financial services institution headquartered in a southern state between 2005 and 2008.

Unit(s) of Observation View help for Unit(s) of Observation

Data Type(s) View help for Data Type(s)

Mode of Data Collection View help for Mode of Data Collection

Description of Variables View help for Description of Variables

Phase One (Dataset 1, Phase One Data) includes demographic variables of marital status, respondent education, spouse education, age, gender, race, salary, and number of children. Variables ask respondents about their own current and lifetime experiences with physical, emotional and sexual abuse, if they know of coworkers who have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse, and effects on workplace measures of job performance, attendance, and feelings of safety at work. Other variables ask about the utilization of available resources, such as, support groups, alcohol or drug treatment, legal aid services, shelters or safe houses, paid or unpaid time off of work, and referrals to other resources.

Phase Two (Dataset 2, Phase Two Data) includes the same demographic variables as Phase One. There are more detailed variables on the type of abuse the respondent may have experienced and if the abuse ever occurred at the workplace. Other variables ask about how the respondent may have reacted to a coworker's abusive situation and its impact on the workplace.

Response Rates View help for Response Rates

The response rates for Phase One (Dataset 1) ranged from 29 to 36 percent.

The overall response rate for Phase Two (Dataset 2) was 58 percent.

Original Release Date View help for Original Release Date

2014-06-30

Version History View help for Version History