Predictors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Ethiopian couples living in Hawassa city

Abstract

Despite the Ethiopian state‘s prescription of constitutional and legal protection of marriages and couple relationships from violent acts, the country continues to struggle with high rates of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). This study aimed to explore relational predictors of IPV in Ethiopian couples using a quantitative research design. A total of 318 participants were recruited for the study from the Hawassa City of Ethiopia. Teachers from two primary schools, two secondary (high) schools, and academic staff from Hawassa University, College of Social Sciences and first-year Natural Science students at Hawassa University were purposefully selected based on their close proximity to and acquaintance with Hawassa University. Participants completed a lengthy survey questionnaire which included four data-gathering instruments which had been translated into Amharic using a five stage translation design aligned with WHO guideline. The instruments included a demographic questionnaire, the Experiences of Close Relationships (ECR) scale; the Conflict Inventory (CI); the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and the Composite of Abuse Revised Short Form (CASR-SF). Results from binomial logistic regression identified relationship dissatisfaction, withdrawal as a conflict resolution strategy, and workplace as significant predictors of violence in this Ethiopian sample. These findings have valuable implications for the design of IPV prevention and intervention strategies for practitioners and policy-makers. The findings could be used to mitigate and minimize IPV in Ethiopian community settings, particularly when considered from an attachment theory lens.