ATTACHMENT STYLES, ECONOMIC STRESS AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN LAFIA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined Attachment styles, Economic stress and Intimate PartnerViolence in Lafia, Nigeria. A sample of one hundred and twelve (112) participants, which involved73 males and 39 females with an age range of 24-56, were used in the study. Also, a purposivesampling technique was used to select the participants for the study. Participants completed threevalidated instruments measuring attachment styles, economic stress, and IPV. Linear regressionand multiple regressions were used to analyse the data collected. Hypotheses were tested usinglinear regression and Multiple Regression Analysis. The results of the analyses confirmed all threehypotheses: Hypothesis one shows that attachment styles significantly influence intimate partnerviolence (Mean = 12.34, SD = 7.34; R = 0.567 = R2 = 0.321 (F (5, 95) = 9.001, t = 10.899, p <.05). Also, Hypothesis two indicated that economic stress significantly influences intimate partnerviolence (Mean = 13.43, SD = 8.56; R = 0.519; R2 = 0.269 (F (1, 99) = 25.630, t = 6.998, p < .05).Similarly, hypothesis three (3) was tested and the result revealed that attachment styles andeconomic stress jointly and significantly influenced intimate partner violence (Mean = 11.56, SD= 5.38; R = .665 = R2 = 0.465 (F (3, 97) = 74.317, t = 3.718, p < .05). The findings were discussedin line with other related works and it was recommended among others that, the government shouldimplement programmes aimed at reducing IPV and should prioritize building social supportnetworks for perpetrators.