Social Structure, Social Learning and the Severity of Physical Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Nigeria.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against women in Nigeria is a subject matter that has captured the interest of various researchers in family research and gender studies. Several empirical investigations have been undertaken to understand the prevalence, attitude towards, and predictors of IPV against women in Nigeria. However, most of what is known about IPV in Nigeria are from community samples. Also, there has been no study that has investigated the distinction between minor and severe physical IPV against women within the Nigeria context. Using the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey of 2014, this study applies the social structure (feminist) and social learning perspective in understanding the severity of physical IPV against women in Nigeria. The study revealed that primary and secondary educational attainment, and being employed predicted severe physical IPV victimization. Alcohol consumption by the respondents’ spouses, being a victim of childhood abuse, and witnessing IPV between parents predicted severe physical IPV. This study shows the significance of applying a feminist and social learning theoretical perspective in pointing to the socio-cultural context that shapes the abusive experiences of Nigerian women.