The COVID-19 pandemic represents a “perfect storm” with regards to risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). Abusive partners may engage in novel forms of coercive control, such as pressuring their partner to engage in activities associated with COVID-19 infection risk (e.g., attend a large gathering). However, no empirical research has focused on COVID-specific coercive control. The current study sought to evaluate the prevalence of COVID-specific coercive control in a large sample of U.S. college students, as well as its association with other forms of IPV and depression and anxiety. A total of 2,289 undergraduate students attending eight U.S. universities who were currently in a sexual/dating/romantic relationship completed an online survey in Fall 2020 about COVID-specific coercive control, other forms of IPV (psychological, physical, sexual, coercive control) and depression and anxiety symptoms. Overall, 15.5% (n = 355) of students reported experiencing COVID-specific coercive control. Individuals who experienced COVID-specific coercive control were more likely to have experienced all other forms of IPV than those who did not experience COVID-specific coercive control. Further, individuals who experienced COVID-specific coercive control had significantly greater anxiety than individuals who did not experience any form of IPV. Individuals who experienced both COVID-specific coercive control and other forms of IPV had the highest levels of depression and anxiety. COVID-specific coercive control may serve to increase depression and anxiety, particularly if it co-occurs with other forms of IPV. Future work should evaluate the prevalence and long-term impact of coercive control during the COVID-19 pandemic.

就亲密伴侣暴力 (IPV) 风险而言，COVID-19 大流行代表着一场“完美风暴”。施虐伴侣可能会采取新形式的强制控制，例如迫使其伴侣参与与 COVID-19 感染风险相关的活动（例如参加大型聚会）。然而，还没有实证研究关注针对新冠病毒的强制控制。目前的研究旨在评估大量美国大学生样本中针对新冠病毒的强制控制的流行情况，及其与其他形式的 IPV 以及抑郁和焦虑的关联。 2020 年秋季，共有 2,289 名就读于美国八所大学且目前处于性/约会/浪漫关系的本科生完成了一项在线调查，内容涉及新冠病毒特定的强制控制、其他形式的 IPV（心理、身体、性、强制控制）和抑郁和焦虑症状。总体而言，15.5%（ n = 355）的学生表示经历过针对新冠病毒的强制控制。与未经历过特定于新冠病毒的强制控制的人相比，经历过特定于新冠病毒的强制控制的个人更有可能经历过所有其他形式的 IPV。此外，经历过特定于新冠病毒的强制控制的人比没有经历过任何形式的 IPV 的人有明显更大的焦虑。经历过特定于新冠病毒的强制控制和其他形式的 IPV 的个体的抑郁和焦虑程度最高。针对新冠病毒的强制控制可能会增加抑郁和焦虑，特别是当它与其他形式的 IPV 同时发生时。未来的工作应评估 COVID-19 大流行期间强制控制的普遍性和长期影响。