Spousal communication and socio-demographic variables as predictors of domestic violence among married couples

Emmanuel E. Uye; Esohe G Ehondor; Abiola E. Sholarin

doi:10.18860/jips.v3i2.23388

Spousal communication and socio-demographic variables as predictors of domestic violence among married couples

Emmanuel E. Uye, Esohe G Ehondor, Abiola E. Sholarin

Abstract

The menace of domestic violence has continued to shake many marriages in Nigeria with attendance consequences on the couples, children and society. Studies have examined factors predicting domestic violence with contradicting results. Therefore, this study examined spousal communication and socio-demographic predictors of domestic violence among married couples. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design while purposive sampling technique was used to select three communities in Ketu Local Government Area in Lagos State. Data were collected from 250 participants using validated questionnaires. Data collected were analysed to test two hypotheses. The result showed significant relationship between spousal communication, income level and domestic violence. Also, the result indicated that spousal communication and income level jointly predicted domestic violence. Furthermore, spousal communication, income level, number of children and length of years in marriage independently predicted domestic violence. The study concluded that spousal communication and socio-demographic variables were strong predictors of domestic violence. It is recommended that married couples should create quality time for communication among themselves

KEY WORDS:
domestic violence; income level; spousal communication

ABSTRAK
Ancaman kekerasan dalam rumah tangga terus mengguncang banyak pernikahan di Nigeria dengan konsekuensi yang terjadi pada pasangan, anak-anak, dan masyarakat. Studi telah menguji faktor-faktor yang memprediksi kekerasan dalam rumah tangga dengan hasil yang bertentangan. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini menguji komunikasi antarsuami-istri dan prediktor sosiodemografi dari kekerasan dalam rumah tangga di antara pasangan yang sudah menikah. Studi ini mengadopsi desain survei lintas-seksional sementara teknik pemilihan sampel yang disengaja digunakan untuk memilih tiga komunitas di Wilayah Pemerintahan Lokal Ketu di Negara Bagian Lagos. Data dikumpulkan dari 250 peserta menggunakan kuesioner yang telah divalidasi. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis untuk menguji dua hipotesis. Hasil menunjukkan hubungan yang signifikan antara komunikasi antarsuami-istri, tingkat pendapatan, dan kekerasan dalam rumah tangga. Juga, hasil tersebut menunjukkan bahwa komunikasi antarsuami-istri dan tingkat pendapatan secara bersama-sama memprediksi kekerasan dalam rumah tangga. Selain itu, komunikasi antarsuami-istri, tingkat pendapatan, jumlah anak, dan lamanya tahun dalam pernikahan secara independen memprediksi kekerasan dalam rumah tangga. Studi ini menyimpulkan bahwa komunikasi antarsuami-istri dan variabel sosiodemografi merupakan prediktor kuat dari kekerasan dalam rumah tangga. Disarankan agar pasangan yang sudah menikah menciptakan waktu berkualitas untuk berkomunikasi di antara mereka sendiri.Top of FormBottom of Form

KATA KUNCI
KDRT; tingkat pendapatan; komunikasi antar suami-istri

Full Text:

PDF

References

Abolakale, M. S. (2019). Patterns of domestic violence among married adults in Ilorin Metropolis , Nigeria : Implication for counselling. Covenant International Journal of Psychology, 4(1), 55–70.

Adewale, D., Dey, N. E. Y., Owusu Ansah, K., Duah, H. O., & Agbadi, P. (2021). The association between polygyny statuses of currently married and in-union women and attitude towards intimate partner violence against women in Ghana. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 4(1), 100207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2021.100207

Afolabi, A. B., Oladotun, A. S., Chinedu, E. O., & Tolulope, O. E. (2017). Psychological factors in marital satisfaction among married couples. Journal of Marital Issue, 12, 45 –67.

Aliakbari, S. A., Safarzadeh, S., Bayat, F., Pormehr-Yabandeh, A., Dashti, S., Roozbeh, N., & Banaei, M. (2018). Related factors of domestic violence: A population-based research on Iranian women. International Journal of Women’s Health and Reproduction Sciences, 6(3), 269–275. https://doi.org/10.15296/ijwhr.2018.45

Amao- Kehinde, A. O. (2008). Communication skills training and conflict resolution strategies in the improvement of marital adjustment of some selected married couples in Lagos State.

Animashaun, B. (2019). Tripod of marriage: Conviction, affection and attraction. In Feeding Centre Church.

Arinze-Umeobi, D. C. (2008). Domestic violence against women in Nigeria: A legal anatomy. European Journal of Psychological Research, 2(1), 1–416.

Awujo, C. G., & Onwukwe, U. (2019). Relationship between verbal and non-verbal communication patterns and adjustment of married teachers in Port Harcourt Metropolis. European Journal of Traning and Development Studies, 6(2), 9–17.

Banozic, A. (2018). Validation of a short version of a self-rated instrument designed to measure attitudes towards domestic violence. Sociology and Criminology-Open Access, 06(01), 180 – 191. https://doi.org/10.4172/2375-4435.1000180

Benebo, F. O., Schumann, B., & Vaezghasemi, M. (2018). Intimate partner violence against women in Nigeria: A multilevel study investigating the effect of women’s status and community norms. BMC Women’s Health, 18(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12905-018-0628-7/FIGURES/3

Bett, G., Kiptiony, G., & Sirera, M. (2017). Relationship between demographic characteristics and marital satisfaction for career couples in Kericho County , Kenya. IOSR-Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 22(12), 53–60.

Bonnes, S. (2015). Education and Income Imbalances A. In Springer Publishing. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/springer/vav/pre-prints/content-VV2015-Sep_Final_A3_Bonnes_001-019

Bradbury, T. N., Fincham, F. D., & Beach, S. R. H. (2000). Research on the nature and determinants of marital satisfaction: A decade in review. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(4), 964–980. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.00964.x

Bulte, E., & Lensink, R. (2021). Empowerment and intimate partner violence: Domestic abuse when household income is uncertain. In Review of Development Economics (Vol. 25, Issue 1, pp. 148–162). https://doi.org/10.1111/rode.12715

Cook, K. S., Cheshire, C., Rice, E. R. W., & Nakagawa, S. (2013). Social exchange theory. Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research, 61–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6772-0_3/COVER

Dinah, J. (2012). Socio-demographic factors and marital conflict. Journal of Research in National Development, 8(1), 431 – 438.

Enimapopo, E. T., & Nwamadi, L. (2023). Causes and consequences of domestic violence among married women in Port Harcourt Metropolis of Rivers State. Journal of Advances in Education and Philosophy, 7(05), 178–186. https://doi.org/10.36348/jaep.2023.v07i05.006

Esere, M, O., Yeyeodu, A., & Oladun, C. (2014). Obstacles and suggested solutions to effective communication in marriage as expressed by Married Adults in Kogi State, Nigeria. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 114, 584–592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.12.751

Esere, M. O., Iruloh, B. R., Ojiah, P. O., Bukoye, R. O., & Chieke, D. N. (2015). Poor communication and faulty cognition on marital stability of married adults in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences Research, 1(5), 58–65.

Esere, M., Yusuf, J., & Omotosho, J. (2011). Influence of spousal communication on marital stability: implication for conducive home environment. Edo Journal of Counselling, 4(1–2), 50–61. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ejc/article/view/72724

Esptein, H., G., R., & Burnett driver, J. (2004). Daily marital interactions and positive affect during marital conflict among newlywed couples. Family Process, 43(3), 301–314. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.2004.00024.x

Ezems, G. A. (2019). A handbook on domestic violence: The Nigerian perspective. Draphically Making Ltd.

Heise, L. L., Raikes, A., Watts, C. H., & Zwi, A. B. (2021). Violence against women: A neglected public health issue in less developed countries. Social Science and Medicine, 39(9), 1165–1179. https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(94)90349-2

Helms, H. M. (2013). Marital relationships in the 21st century. In G. W. Peterson & K. R. Bush (Eds.), Handbook of Marriage and Family (Third). Springer.

Huecker, M. R., King, K. C., Jordan, G. A., & Smock, W. (2023). Domestic Violence. StatPearls Publishing.

Idialu, E. E. (2003). A Study of management of crises associated with family finances in Edo State, Nigeria. Journal of Contemporary Issues, 1(2), 62–82.

Klein, L. B., Chesworth, B. R., Howland-Myers, J. R., Rizo, C. F., & Macy, R. J. (2021). Housing interventions for intimate partner violence survivors: a systematic review. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, 22(2), 249–264. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838019836284

Lauer, R. H. ., & Lauer, J. C. (2014). Social problems and the quality of life. McGraw-Hill.

Maciver, J. E., & Dimkpa, D. I. (2012). Factors influencing marital stability. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 3(1), 437–442. https://doi.org/10.5901/mjss.2012.03.01.437

Madanian, L., Mansor, S. M. S. S., & Omar, A. H. bin. (2013). Marital satisfaction of iranian female students in Malaysia: A qualitative study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 84, 987–993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.686

Mallory, A. B. (2022). Dimensions of couples’ sexual communication, relationship satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction: A meta-analysis. Family Psychology, 36(3), 358–371.

Markman, H. J., Renick, M. J., Floyd, F. J., Stanley, S. M., & Clements, M. (1993). Preventing marital distress through communication and conflict management training: A 4- and 5-Year Follow-Up. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61(1), 70–77. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006x.61.1.70

Mustafa, H., Mohd Hasim, M. J., & Aripin, N. (2013). Income on marital instability among couples. Applied Research Quality of Life, 8, 299– 322.

Okedare, O. O., & Fawole, O. I. (2023). Intimate partner violence among young women in Ibadan, Nigeria: are there slum and non-slum differences? BMC Women’s Health, 23(1), 1–13,. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02446-5

Okhakhume, A. S., Ohguntayo, R., & Aroniyaso, O. T. (2016). Influence of Socio-economic status and marital satisfaction on domestic violence among couples living in Nigeria. International Journal of Applied Psychology, 6(6), 179 – 184. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.5923/j.ijap.20160606.03

Oladeji, D. (2013). Personal, situational and socio-cultural factors as correlates of intimate partner abuse in Nigeria. Advances in Sexual Medicine, 03(04), 92–97. https://doi.org/10.4236/asm.2013.34014

Onoyase, A. (2017). Determinants of marriage stability among married couples in North-Central Nigeria implication for counselling. World Journal of Educational Research, 4(3), 356. https://doi.org/10.22158/wjer.v4n3p356

Onyekaiheako, D., & Fwacs, U. (2015). Domestic Violence and its predictors among married women in Southeast Nigeria. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 6, 562 – 567. www.ijsr.net

Sagrestano, L. M., Heavey, C. L., & Christensen, A. (2006). Individual differences versus social structural approaches to explaining demand-withdraw and social influence behaviors. In K. Dindia & D. J. Canary (Eds.), Sex differences and similarities in communication (pp. 379–395). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

Skott, S. (2021). Disaggregating Violence: Understanding the decline. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(15–16), 7670–7694. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519838496

Status APA Task Force on Socioeconomic. (2006). Report of the APA task force on socioeconomic status. In APA Council of Representatives (Vol. 23). American Psychological Association (APA. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21282485

Umeh, J. (2022). Osinachi Nwachukwu: Untold story about cause of death of popular female gospel singer. Vanguard News Nigeria, 10. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/osinachi-nwachukwu-untold-story-about-cause-of-death-of-popular-female-gospel-singer/

Usoroh, C., Ekot, M., & Inyang, E. S. (2010). Spousal communication styles and marital stability among civil servants in Akwa Ibom State. Journal of Home Economics Research, 13(DECEMBER), 74–84.

Van Den Troost, A., Vermulst, A. A., Gerris, J. R. M., & Matthijs, K. (2005). The Dutch marital satisfaction and communication questionnaire: A validation study. Psychologica Belgica, 45(3), 185–206. https://doi.org/10.5334/pb-45-3-185

Willis, F. N., & Briggs, L. F. (1992). Relationship and touch in public settings. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 16(1), 55–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986879

Wilson, L. (2023). Domestic violence. Encyclopaedia of Forensic Sciences (Third). Elsevier.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/jips.v3i2.23388