Personality Type and Experience of Domestic Violence among Married Women in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Worldwide, the incidence of violence regardless of the form is increasing on a daily basis. Although, both men and women are victims and perpetrators of violence, the rate of experience of violence undeniably differs according to gender, with more women bearing the larger burden of experience of violence. Yet, not much is known about the effect of personality treait on experience of domestic violence among women. This study examine the relationship between personality type and experience of domestic violence among currently married women in Southwestern Nigeria. The original survey adopted a mixed method approach involving the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. However, analysis in this study was restricted to the quantitative data. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 400 eligible respondents were randomly selected out of the total population of 290,280 women of reproductive age. The study revealed 40% of married women in the study area experienced at least one form of violence or the other. However, verbal/emotional violence accounted for the highest prevalence rate (60.0%), followed by physical violence (37.0%) and sexual violence (23.2%). Findings also revealed personality trait was a significant predictor of domestic violence among women. Women with neuroticism, agreeableness and conscientiousness personality had higher likelihood of experiencing domestic violence relative to women with the extraversion personality. The openness personality trait was not significant in predicting experience of domestic violence. The study found high prevalence of domestic violence, while verbal/emotional violence remains the most prevalent form of domestic violence experienced by the women. Personality trait of the women was a significant predictor of experience of domestic violence.