Post Views:
0
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent problem that threatens the societal welfare both in developed and developing nations. Most efforts to alleviate it have focused on women victims of male perpetrated IPV. Despite increasing media reports of men experiencing IPV, there is paucity of information on the prevalence of such victimization and the risk factors associated with it especially in Kenya. This study sought to establish the relationship between selected childhood parental factors and intimate partner violence (IPV) among men in Nyeri County. The selected childhood parental factors included exposure to parental intimate partner violence, harsh physical parental disciplining and parental involvement. Based on social cognitive and the attachment theories, the study utilized an Ex post facto correlational design to establish the nature of associations between the independent and the dependent variables. The target population for the study was married or once married men in Nyeri County aged between 18 and 65 years. A multi-stage probability sampling was used to arrive at the sample. Four structured scales were used to collect quantitative data namely; childhood exposure to parental IPV scale, harsh parental discipline scale, parental involvement and IPV scales. Focus group discussions were used to collect qualitative data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the demographic factors, prevalence and forms of IPV. Correlations between childhood parental factors and IPV were established using Pearson‟s Product Moment correlation Coefficient. The study findings provided evidence that IPV against males in Nyeri County was prevalent with 87.9% reporting to have ever experienced some form of IPV. The study also revealed that there were significant positive relationships between experience of IPV and the following childhood factors; exposure to parental IPV and harsh parental disciplining. Paternal involvement had significant negative correlation to IPV except for the physical form of IPV. Maternal involvement was found to have insignificant negative correlation to IPV except for physical form of IPV. A major implication and recommendation of the study was that there is need for intervention programmes for male survivors of IPV to be initiated. Educating the public on how to identify male victims of IPV and the law enforcers on how to deal with them was also recommended. The study also recommended premarital education and counselling, couple counselling, and community awareness creation on issues related to IPV. Parental education was also recommended in an effort to promote parental involvement and prevent exposure of children to parental IPV and harsh physical disciplining. The male survivors of IPV, mental health professionals and parent educators as well as policy makers are among those who were expected to benefit from the study findings.
Intimate Partner violence is a significant health and social problem in both developed and the developing countries. In line with the Millennium Development Goals, the constitution of Kenya, article 28 states that every person has the right not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading manner (Kenya Law Reports 2010). This right however, continues to be violated as evidenced by increased reports of violence in the country which include but not limited to domestic violence. The USIAD (2014) toolkit for integrating gender based violence prevention and response into economic growth projects observed that global prevalence of IPV is staggering. However, the report noted that available statistics at national, multi-national, and global levels set the context and make a compelling case that cannot be ignored.
Research suggests that the most common form of domestic violence for adults is spousal violence also known as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) (Tjaden & Theonnes 2006). According to the World Health Organization (2002) IPV can be defined as any behaviour in an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm to those in that relationship. It comprises of actions within a current or former intimate relationship (whether of the same or opposite sex) that cause physical, psychological or sexual harm to a partner as is noted by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC, 2006).
According to Archer (2002) and Centre for Diseases Control & Prevention (2009) IPV includes four types of violent behaviours that occur between two people in a close relationship: (a) physical abuse such as kicking, punching, and slapping; (b) sexual abuse; (c) threats of physical or sexual abuse; and (d) emotional/psychological abuse such as intimidation, shaming, and controlling through guilt, stalking and manipulation. Such acts of violence vary from a single act experienced only once to multiple acts, including acts of severe violence experienced for prolonged period of time. Several of such acts of violence have been recognized to co-occur (World Health Organization, 2002).
The experience of IPV is traumatizing and has lots of negative effects. According to Cook (2009) the consequences of IPV are significant, long-term and also impact the health and well-being of the victim‟s family and community. It is evident from literature that people who experience traumatic events have a high risk for suffering a wide range of psychological disorders. Such people may exhibit symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) such as depression, self-blame, low self-esteem, anger, anxiety, sexuality problems as well as frequent body aches and other somatic complaints (Romano and Luca, 2001; Black, Basile, Breiding, Smith, Walters, Merrick, Chen & Stevens, 2011). Others are at a high risk of alcohol/substance abuse. This is besides the physical consequences of IPV including injuries or even death.
Previous literature reviewed suggests that most victims of IPV visit health facilities more frequently over their lifetime; have more and longer duration of hospital stays;
and are at higher risk of physical, mental, reproductive, and other health consequences over their lifetime than non-victims (Basile & Smith, 2011). This indicates that IPV is both a physical and a psychological problem. Certainly, such consequences have financial implications to both the individuals concerned and to the nation‟s budget. According to USAID (2014) all forms of violence are costly and negatively impact economic growth and poverty reduction efforts. This ultimately hinders the achievement of national and the Millennium Development Goals. It further indicates the need for IPV to be addressed.
Related
INSTRUCTIONS AFTER PAYMENT
- 1.Your Full name
- 2. Your Active Email Address
- 3. Your Phone Number
- 4. Amount Paid
- 5. Project Topic
- 6. Location you made payment from