DEPRESSION, PERCEIVED STRESS, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AS PREDICTORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMONG VICTIMS IN MARARABA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the predictive influence of depression, perceived stress, and perceived social support as predictors of domestic violence among victims in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, involving 69 respondents
(40 males and 29 females) selected through purposive sampling. Standardized self-report instruments were used to assess depression, perceived stress, perceived social support, and experiences of domestic violence. Data were analyzed using simple and multiple regression statistics with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results from the demographic analysis showed that a majority of respondents were aged between 20 and 30 years (43.5%), predominantly male (58.0%), and mainly of Muslim (53.6%) background. The regression analyses revealed that each psychological variable significantly predicted domestic violence.
Specifically, depression was a significant positive predictor of domestic violence, accounting for 23.8% of the variance, perceived stress also showed a strong positive prediction, explaining 32.0% of the variance while perceived social support was a significant negative
predictor, accounting for 5.6% of the variance. The joint analysis of depression, stress, and social support yielded a significant combined prediction of domestic violence, indicating that these psychological factors collectively explained 32.9% of the total variance in domestic violence among respondents. The findings suggest that individuals with higher levels of depression and perceived stress are more likely to engage in or experience domestic violence, while greater social support reduces vulnerability to such violence. The study underscores the importance of integrating psychosocial interventions, including mental-health screening and social-support
strengthening, into domestic violence prevention and response programs in Keffi and similar Nigerian communities. Recommendations were made for policymakers and mental-health practitioners to prioritize early detection of depressive symptoms and stress, and to expand community-based support networks for victims and at-risk populations.