EFFECTS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE (IPV) ON THE MENTAL HEALTH, SOCIOECONOMIC WELL-BEING AND EMPLOYEES PERFORMANCE IN KWALE COMMUNITY, NDOKWA WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a major public health challenge with serious mental health and socioeconomic consequences which impact negatively on employee’s performance. This study investigated the mental health and socioeconomic impacts of IPV among adult residents in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the relationship between IPV exposure and mental health outcomes, assessed socioeconomic impacts, and evaluated the influence of sociodemographic factors and coping resources. It examined the impact of IPV on employee’s output. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was adopted. Using multistage sampling, 462 respondents were selected. Data were collected through structured questionnaires incorporating validated instruments and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed an IPV prevalence of 64.5%. Respondents exposed to IPV reported significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder than those not exposed. IPV survivors also recorded lower household incomes, higher unemployment, and reduced economic independence. Social support significantly moderated the relationship between IPV exposure and adverse mental health outcomes, while demographic factors and coping resources explained a substantial proportion of the variance in depression. There is a poor performance output index for employees. The study concludes that IPV imposes significant mental health and socioeconomic burdens on survivors. It recommends strengthening mental health services, economic empowerment programs, legal protection, community support systems, and continuous multisectoral research.