An exploration of the relationship between economic factors, economic recessions, and spousal violence

The focus of the study is centred on the relationship between economic recessions, economic factors such as unemployment rates, low income, and the COVID-19 pandemic, and spousal violence. The research is focused on scholarship and statistics within a Canadian context, as well as specific to Calgary and Alberta where appropriate. The study covers the economic recessions and related statistics on low income and unemployment rates in Canada from 2008 to 2020 in an attempt to illustrate a connection with spousal violence. The statistics on spousal violence cover the period from 2009 to 2014, given these are the most recently available publicly accessible statistics from the General Social Survey and the Uniform Crime Report through Statistics Canada. Exploring economic factors such as low income and unemployment is important because it can lead to a better understanding of how these factors intersect and contribute to and/or perpetuate spousal violence. It is also significant because exploring economic recessions can contribute to a more in-depth understanding of how the economy impacts spousal violence and the corresponding statistics on spousal violence. The methods utilized to research the topic include an integrative literature review, a descriptive research design, and a meta-analysis to collate, extract, and synthesize the literature and statistics. Findings include increased unemployment rates during periods of economic recessions and increased spousal violence-related calls to police agencies and other services during such periods. Lastly, women are the victims of spousal violence and their victimization is exacerbated by low income, their male partner’s unemployment, and periods of economic recession.