DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND MARITAL STABILITY AMONG COUPLES IN ALIMOSHO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

Domestic violence is an epidemic affecting many marriages in most communities, regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. The devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of domestic violence to health can cross generations and last a lifetime. The study investigated the factors in domestic violence and marital stability among couples in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. The descriptive survey research design was adopted while the sample consisted of 364 women attending marriage ceremonies in Alimosho marriage registry. The modified Domestic Violence Questionnaire (DVQ) Kr21p = 0.84 was used to generate data for the study. Data collected were analysed using X2 on Winks SDA Statistical Package version 17.0 edition. Findings revealed a statistically significant impact of lifestyle of abusers (χ2 = 510.185; p= 0.001< 0.05); belief system of male superiority (χ2 = 242.323; p= 0.001< 0.05); cultural acceptance of spousal beating (χ2 = 470.330; p = 0.001<0.05); educational status of domestic violence victims (χ2 = 33.63; p = 0.001< 0.05) and employment status of abusers and victims (χ2 = 107.773; p = 0.001< 0.05) on marriage success among couples. Recommendation was made to the effect that to guarantee marital stability among couples, there is the need for husbands to shun violent behaviours at home by adjusting lifestyle habits that could jeopardise the coexistence so that the men will not become abusers based on their lifestyles. Health counselling that will correct the erroneous belief that a woman could be beaten as part of corrective effort by the man should be intensified in marriage counselling units before and after marriage. This will help dissuade men from violent activities, stabilise marriages and promote mental health.