Patterns of drug use and the perpetuation of intimate partner violence among public servants in Uyo, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the high incidence of intimate partner violence in Nigeria, empirical research on the psychological and emotional aspect is very scanty. A review of the few available studies shows a lacuna in research regarding the implication of drug use on the perpetuation of intimate partner violence. The present study was aimed at bridging this gap with a view towards making recommendations to  stakeholders so that proactive steps could be taken. In the cross-sectional survey, residents of Uyo (N = 249) were employed, using standardized measures of drug use and perpetuation of intimate partner violence. Results indicated that drug use, age, marital status, religion, ethnic group and gender jointly predicted perpetuation of intimate partner violence [F (6,242) = 19.52; P<.05]. However, only drug use and age of the participants independently predicted perpetuation of intimate partner violence; whereas gender, religion, ethnicity, and marital status did not predict perpetuation of intimate partner violence. The study concluded that exposure to drugs accelerates the perpetuation of intimate partner violence and subsequent psychological ill-health of families affected and this should be a source of concern for clinical psychologists and other stakeholders in the behavioral sciences. Implications and recommendations were made which were in line with previous findings.

Keywords: Drug use, intimate partner violence, public servants, perpetuation.