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

Abstract

The study examined Attachment styles, Economic stress and Intimate Partner
Violence in Lafia, Nigeria. A sample of one hundred and twelve (112) participants, which involved
73 males and 39 females with an age range of 24-56, were used in the study. Also, a purposive
sampling technique was used to select the participants for the study. Participants completed three
validated instruments measuring attachment styles, economic stress, and IPV. Linear regression
and multiple regressions were used to analyse the data collected. Hypotheses were tested using
linear regression and Multiple Regression Analysis. The results of the analyses confirmed all three
hypotheses: Hypothesis one shows that attachment styles significantly influence intimate partner
violence (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 partner
violence (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 and
economic 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 discussed
in line with other related works and it was recommended among others that, the government should
implement programmes aimed at reducing IPV and should prioritize building social support
networks for perpetrators.