Sociocultural and Victimization Factors That Impact Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence Among Kenyan Women

George C T Mugoya; Tricia H Witte; Kacey C Ernst

doi:10.1177/0886260514554287

Sociocultural and Victimization Factors That Impact Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence Among Kenyan Women

J Interpers Violence. 2015 Oct;30(16):2851-71. doi: 10.1177/0886260514554287. Epub 2014 Oct 29.

Authors

George C T Mugoya¹, Tricia H Witte², Kacey C Ernst³

Affiliations

¹ University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA gmugoya@bamaed.ua.edu.
² University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.
³ University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ, USA.

PMID: 25355859
DOI: 10.1177/0886260514554287

Abstract

This study investigates the association between acceptance of intimate partner violence (IPV) and reported IPV victimization among Kenyan women, taking into consideration select sociocultural factors that may also influence acceptance of IPV. Data from a nationally representative, cross-sectional, household survey conducted between November 2008 and February 2009 in Kenya were analyzed. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to estimate the effect of select sociodemographic characteristics and reported IPV victimization on acceptance of IPV. The results showed that while both sociodemographic characteristics and reported IPV victimization were significantly associated with IPV acceptance, sociocultural factors had a greater impact. Programs aimed at empowering women and culturally competent IPV prevention strategies may be the key elements to reducing IPV.

Keywords: Kenya; attitudes; intimate partner violence; perceptions; socioculture.

MeSH terms

Adult
Attitude*
Crime Victims / psychology*
Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Intimate Partner Violence / psychology*
Intimate Partner Violence / statistics & numerical data
Kenya
Sex Offenses
Spouse Abuse / psychology
Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data