Spousal Violence in the Era of Covid-19 Lockdown: The Implication of Socioeconomic Distress and Contextual Factors

Abstract

Globally, there are overwhelming evidence on the increasing spate of domestic violence among couples during the coronavirus lockdown. However, there are limited empirical studies that have explored the role of socioeconomic distress on spousal violence occurrence during the enforced lockdown in Nigeria. This study investigated how contextual, socio-demographic factors, economic distress interplay with spousal violence (SV) during enforced lockdown due to COVID-19. A web-based cross-sectional study utilizing snowballing sampling technique was adopted. Participants were recruited via social media platform, Facebook and WhatsApp using google form from March 3 to April 4, 2020. 356 participants (141 males and 215 females) responded to questionnaire containing socioeconomic, demographic information and Composite Abuse Scale (CAS); which was used to assess spousal violence. Result showed that living conditions of couples, income status and job status had significant influence on SV. However, gender, religion affiliation, type of family, and spouse’s tribal affiliation had no significant influence on SV. The study concluded that contextual factors and socioeconomic distress exert significant implications on spousal violence. It was recommended that government at all levels should be objective in the distribution of palliative measures to combat socio-contextual and economic distress among residents to achieve a spousal violence free society among Nigerians during and in future pandemic lockdown.

Assessment of the Immediate and Potential Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 Outbreak on Socioeconomics, Agriculture, Security of Food and Dietary Intake in Nigeria

“…Consequently, domestic violence and sexual abuse increases during lockdowns. Meanwhile, young women are subject to increased cyber-violence as people spend more time at home and online as quarantines and self-isolation measures continue (Ekweonu 2020 ; Oguntayo et al 2020 ; Ilesanmi et al 2020 ). Remittances from abroad, which support households, may also fall and worsen economic hardship.…”

Factors Affecting Violence Againts Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

“…The factors that influence the high rate of violence against women can then be overcome by knowing the preventive interventions that can be pursued. The New Normal era, which currently continues to coexist with the COVID 19 pandemic case with fluctuative numbers, is an urgent matter that needs attention (Evans, 2020;Oguntayo et al, 2020). In addition, the existing policy on sanctions against perpetrators of violence against women also needs to be assessed for its application.…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic is still at the center of global attention (Perez-Vincent et al, 2020;Setiati & Azwar, 2020;Sharma et al, 2020). The increase in the number of people with COVID-19 every day will certainly cause anxiety even though the governments of each country have established policies that are preventive, curative and rehabilitative (Oguntayo et al, 2020). One of the policies set is the lockdown or work from home policy which aims to reduce contact with crowds and prevent air transmission from the COVID-19 (Fontanesi Daniela;Mazza, Cristina;Di Giandomenico, Serena;Roma, Paolo;Verrocchio, Maria Cristina, 2020).…”

“…Several studies have shown that lockdown and work from home policies affect the dynamics in families, especially families with middle and low socioeconomics such as decreased family income, increased stress and are more prone to anger. (Evans, 2020;Fontanesi Daniela;Mazza, Cristina;Di Giandomenico, Serena;Roma, Paolo;Verrocchio, Maria Cristina, 2020;Oguntayo et al, 2020). Fear, anxiety and psychological distress due to prolonged territorial restrictions, closure of schools for children, economic strain and conditions of vulnerability to viruses or uncertainty about life have dramatic effects.…”

“…Fear, anxiety and psychological distress due to prolonged territorial restrictions, closure of schools for children, economic strain and conditions of vulnerability to viruses or uncertainty about life have dramatic effects. The psychological distress resulted in violent behavior in which most of the victims were women (Fontanesi Daniela;Mazza, Cristina;Di Giandomenico, Serena;Roma, Paolo;Verrocchio, Maria Cristina, 2020;Hamadani et al, 2020;Oguntayo et al, 2020). Cases of violence against women have also increased.…”