EXAMINE THE PREVALENCE AND PATTERNS OF TRAUMA ASSOCIATED WITH INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

This study found that trauma associated with intimate partner violence was highly prevalent among survivors in North Central Nigeria. Specifically, 39.1% experienced severe trauma, 34.2% experienced moderate trauma, 17.8% experienced mild trauma, and only 8.9% reported no significant trauma. Overall, approximately 73.3% of respondents experienced moderate to severe trauma following intimate partner violence. The predominant trauma patterns were depression (26.2%), anxiety disorders (22.7%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (21.1%), followed by low self-esteem (13.3%), sleep disturbances (9.3%), and social withdrawal (7.4%). The Chi-square analysis (χ² = 94.563, df = 5, p < 0.05) indicated a statistically significant pattern of trauma associated with intimate partner violence among survivors in North Central Nigeria, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. The study was conducted in the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria, comprising Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau States, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The target population consisted of adult survivors of intimate partner violence aged 18 years and above, as well as selected professionals involved in providing support services to survivors. A sample size of 450 respondents was selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that was subjected to face and content validity, while reliability was established through a pilot study using Cronbach's Alpha. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 29. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to answer the research questions, while the Chi-square test was used to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance.