GITNUXREPORT 2025

Unhealthy Relationship Statistics

Unhealthy relationships cause significant mental, physical, and social health consequences globally.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Women in abusive relationships are three times more likely to experience depression

Statistic 2

35% of adolescents in unhealthy relationships report experiencing emotional manipulation

Statistic 3

People in unhealthy relationships often have increased cortisol levels, indicating chronic stress

Statistic 4

People in unhealthy relationships often report higher levels of loneliness and social isolation

Statistic 5

In abusive relationships, 25-50% of victims experience some form of coercive control, including isolation and financial restriction

Statistic 6

The presence of controlling behaviors in a relationship is a significant predictor of future physical abuse, according to longitudinal studies

Statistic 7

Partners in unhealthy relationships often exhibit low levels of empathy and high levels of jealousy, which contribute to conflict and abuse

Statistic 8

Domestic violence is estimated to cost the U.S. economy billions annually, with estimates of over $8.3 billion related to healthcare, legal services, and lost productivity

Statistic 9

Children exposed to unhealthy parental relationships are more likely to develop mental health issues

Statistic 10

Unhealthy relationship behavior increases the risk of suicide among adolescents

Statistic 11

Couples who experience frequent conflicts are more likely to develop unhealthy relationship patterns

Statistic 12

Unhealthy relationships can lead to long-term mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, with over 40% of victims reporting these outcomes

Statistic 13

About 25% of women in abusive relationships experience homelessness as a direct result

Statistic 14

80% of domestic violence victims stay in abusive relationships due to financial dependency

Statistic 15

Substances like alcohol and drugs are involved in approximately 40% of domestic violence incidents

Statistic 16

Unhealthy relationships are associated with higher rates of substance abuse among teenagers, with nearly 20% reporting using drugs or alcohol to cope

Statistic 17

Emotional abuse can be as damaging as physical abuse, with victims often experiencing low self-esteem and depression

Statistic 18

Unhealthy relationships can result in academic decline among students, with some reporting missed classes and lower grades

Statistic 19

Women involved in unhealthy relationships are more likely to report experiencing postpartum depression, due to ongoing stress and trauma

Statistic 20

Unhealthy relationships increase the risk of developing chronic health conditions such as hypertension and heart disease, due to sustained stress

Statistic 21

Exposure to unhealthy parental relationships during childhood increases the likelihood of developing unhealthy romantic relationships in adulthood, by nearly 70%

Statistic 22

People in unhealthy relationships are at higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with estimates around 35%

Statistic 23

Unhealthy relationships contribute significantly to the global burden of mental health disorders, accounting for approximately 18% of worldwide cases of depression

Statistic 24

60% of women in abusive relationships report feeling trapped and hopeless, which can impact their physical and mental health

Statistic 25

The risk of homicide increases significantly when there are unresolved conflict or ongoing violence in an unhealthy relationship, with homicide rates 7 times higher

Statistic 26

Approximately 30% of women and men in the U.S. have experienced some form of intimate partner violence

Statistic 27

Over 50% of women in abusive relationships experience sexual violence

Statistic 28

Nearly ⅓ of college students report experiencing unhealthy relationship behaviors

Statistic 29

About 81% of women and 35% of men who are victims of intimate partner violence are also victims of non-lethal strangulation

Statistic 30

Young adults aged 18-24 are most at risk for experiencing unhealthy relationships

Statistic 31

Nearly 60% of teenagers in abusive relationships report experiencing emotional abuse

Statistic 32

Emotional abuse is reported in approximately 70% of unhealthy relationships

Statistic 33

About 40% of dating teenagers have experienced controlling behaviors from their partner

Statistic 34

1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men in abusive relationships have experienced stalking behaviors

Statistic 35

Men are more likely than women to use physical violence in unhealthy relationship patterns

Statistic 36

Approximately 34% of women and 22% of men report experiencing physical violence from an intimate partner

Statistic 37

Nearly 35% of women worldwide have been subjected to some form of physical or sexual intimate partner violence

Statistic 38

About 15% of college women report being coerced into unwanted sexual activity, often associated with unhealthy relationship dynamics

Statistic 39

Approximately 37% of stalking victims are stalked by a current or former intimate partner

Statistic 40

About 20% of women experience emotional abuse during pregnancy, often linked to unhealthy relationship dynamics

Statistic 41

Emotional abuse often goes unnoticed and unreported, with up to 75% of victims never disclosing their experiences

Statistic 42

Nearly 60% of women experiencing intimate partner violence report attempting to seek help, but less than half receive adequate support

Statistic 43

Practicing healthy communication is shown to significantly reduce the risk of unhealthy relationship patterns

Statistic 44

Victims of unhealthy relationships who seek help are often unaware of available resources due to lack of awareness or fear, with only about 30% seeking formal support

Statistic 45

Intervention programs aimed at reducing unhealthy relationships have shown success rates of up to 60% in decreasing violence and controlling behaviors

Slide 1 of 45

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Approximately 30% of women and men in the U.S. have experienced some form of intimate partner violence
Over 50% of women in abusive relationships experience sexual violence
Nearly ⅓ of college students report experiencing unhealthy relationship behaviors
About 81% of women and 35% of men who are victims of intimate partner violence are also victims of non-lethal strangulation
Young adults aged 18-24 are most at risk for experiencing unhealthy relationships
Nearly 60% of teenagers in abusive relationships report experiencing emotional abuse
Children exposed to unhealthy parental relationships are more likely to develop mental health issues
Women in abusive relationships are three times more likely to experience depression
Emotional abuse is reported in approximately 70% of unhealthy relationships
About 40% of dating teenagers have experienced controlling behaviors from their partner
Unhealthy relationship behavior increases the risk of suicide among adolescents
1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men in abusive relationships have experienced stalking behaviors
Couples who experience frequent conflicts are more likely to develop unhealthy relationship patterns

Did you know that nearly one in three Americans has experienced some form of intimate partner violence, highlighting the urgent need to recognize and address the pervasive dangers of unhealthy relationships?

Behavioral and Psychological Aspects of Abuse

Women in abusive relationships are three times more likely to experience depression
35% of adolescents in unhealthy relationships report experiencing emotional manipulation
People in unhealthy relationships often have increased cortisol levels, indicating chronic stress
People in unhealthy relationships often report higher levels of loneliness and social isolation
In abusive relationships, 25-50% of victims experience some form of coercive control, including isolation and financial restriction
The presence of controlling behaviors in a relationship is a significant predictor of future physical abuse, according to longitudinal studies
Partners in unhealthy relationships often exhibit low levels of empathy and high levels of jealousy, which contribute to conflict and abuse

Behavioral and Psychological Aspects of Abuse Interpretation

Unhealthy relationships, characterized by emotional manipulation, control, and chronic stress, not only erode mental health and social well-being but also ominously serve as a fertile ground for escalating physical abuse, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and intervention.

Economic and Social Costs of Relationship Violence

Domestic violence is estimated to cost the U.S. economy billions annually, with estimates of over $8.3 billion related to healthcare, legal services, and lost productivity

Economic and Social Costs of Relationship Violence Interpretation

The staggering $8.3 billion annual toll of domestic violence on the U.S. economy underscores that unchecked abuse isn't just a personal crisis but a costly national emergency demanding our urgent attention.

Impact and Consequences of Unhealthy Relationships

Children exposed to unhealthy parental relationships are more likely to develop mental health issues
Unhealthy relationship behavior increases the risk of suicide among adolescents
Couples who experience frequent conflicts are more likely to develop unhealthy relationship patterns
Unhealthy relationships can lead to long-term mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, with over 40% of victims reporting these outcomes
About 25% of women in abusive relationships experience homelessness as a direct result
80% of domestic violence victims stay in abusive relationships due to financial dependency
Substances like alcohol and drugs are involved in approximately 40% of domestic violence incidents
Unhealthy relationships are associated with higher rates of substance abuse among teenagers, with nearly 20% reporting using drugs or alcohol to cope
Emotional abuse can be as damaging as physical abuse, with victims often experiencing low self-esteem and depression
Unhealthy relationships can result in academic decline among students, with some reporting missed classes and lower grades
Women involved in unhealthy relationships are more likely to report experiencing postpartum depression, due to ongoing stress and trauma
Unhealthy relationships increase the risk of developing chronic health conditions such as hypertension and heart disease, due to sustained stress
Exposure to unhealthy parental relationships during childhood increases the likelihood of developing unhealthy romantic relationships in adulthood, by nearly 70%
People in unhealthy relationships are at higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with estimates around 35%
Unhealthy relationships contribute significantly to the global burden of mental health disorders, accounting for approximately 18% of worldwide cases of depression
60% of women in abusive relationships report feeling trapped and hopeless, which can impact their physical and mental health
The risk of homicide increases significantly when there are unresolved conflict or ongoing violence in an unhealthy relationship, with homicide rates 7 times higher

Impact and Consequences of Unhealthy Relationships Interpretation

Unhealthy relationship dynamics not only cast long shadows over mental health—fueling anxiety, depression, and even homicide risk—but also trap individuals in a cycle of dependence and despair, underscoring the urgent need for intervention and support.

Prevalence and Demographics of Relationship Abuse

Approximately 30% of women and men in the U.S. have experienced some form of intimate partner violence
Over 50% of women in abusive relationships experience sexual violence
Nearly ⅓ of college students report experiencing unhealthy relationship behaviors
About 81% of women and 35% of men who are victims of intimate partner violence are also victims of non-lethal strangulation
Young adults aged 18-24 are most at risk for experiencing unhealthy relationships
Nearly 60% of teenagers in abusive relationships report experiencing emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is reported in approximately 70% of unhealthy relationships
About 40% of dating teenagers have experienced controlling behaviors from their partner
1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men in abusive relationships have experienced stalking behaviors
Men are more likely than women to use physical violence in unhealthy relationship patterns
Approximately 34% of women and 22% of men report experiencing physical violence from an intimate partner
Nearly 35% of women worldwide have been subjected to some form of physical or sexual intimate partner violence
About 15% of college women report being coerced into unwanted sexual activity, often associated with unhealthy relationship dynamics
Approximately 37% of stalking victims are stalked by a current or former intimate partner
About 20% of women experience emotional abuse during pregnancy, often linked to unhealthy relationship dynamics
Emotional abuse often goes unnoticed and unreported, with up to 75% of victims never disclosing their experiences

Prevalence and Demographics of Relationship Abuse Interpretation

These staggering statistics reveal that unhealthy relationships are an insidious epidemic affecting all genders and ages, yet their quiet persistence, especially in emotional forms that often go unreported, underscores the urgent need for awareness, intervention, and a cultural shift towards healthier partnerships.

Prevention, Intervention, and Support Strategies

Nearly 60% of women experiencing intimate partner violence report attempting to seek help, but less than half receive adequate support
Practicing healthy communication is shown to significantly reduce the risk of unhealthy relationship patterns
Victims of unhealthy relationships who seek help are often unaware of available resources due to lack of awareness or fear, with only about 30% seeking formal support
Intervention programs aimed at reducing unhealthy relationships have shown success rates of up to 60% in decreasing violence and controlling behaviors

Prevention, Intervention, and Support Strategies Interpretation

While nearly 60% of women in abusive relationships reach out for help, the fact that less than half receive adequate support highlights an urgent need for increased awareness and effective intervention, because practicing healthy communication is not just a skill—it’s a lifeline that can slash the risk of ongoing harm by up to 60%.