Examination of Communication and Domestic Violence against Women in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Rivers State Nigeria.

Abstract

This study examined Communication and Domestic Violence against Women in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Rivers State Nigeria. The study was guided by three objectives, research questions, and hypotheses, and anchored on the Communication Pattern Theory and Social Learning Theory. A Descriptive Survey Design was adopted. The study population comprised 2,245 women drawn from Community-Based Women Organizations (CBWOs) in Port Harcourt Metropolis. A sample of 242 women was selected using the Krejcie and Morgan formula and the Simple Random Sampling Technique. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire designed to assess communication patterns, emotional support, and exposure to domestic violence. The research questions were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that effective communication significantly reduces anxiety, depression, and domestic violence, while fostering mutual understanding, emotional support, and cohesion among family members. Empirical studies in related contexts have shown that open and healthy communication patterns within families are associated with lower levels of intimate partner violence, as they promote emotional stability, conflict resolution, and trust among couples. Evidence also indicates that families who practice active listening, empathy, and non-verbal sensitivity experience fewer cases of physical and Psychological abuse, as communication acts as a preventive and corrective mechanism against tension and misunderstanding. These findings suggest that effective communication enhances emotional resilience and serves as a protective factor against domestic violence. Conversely, poor or dysfunctional communication often results in emotional disconnection, unresolved conflicts, and heightened hostility, which increase the likelihood of domestic violence within the household. Empirical evidence shows that when communication is characterized by withdrawal, dominance, or aggression, it reinforces power imbalances and fosters environments where abuse is more likely to occur. Additionally, studies based on social learning perspectives indicate that communication behaviors—whether positive or negative—are often learned and modeled from parental or societal influences, thereby perpetuating either constructive or violent relational patterns across generations. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the government, in collaboration with CBWOs, should organize capacity-building seminars and workshops for both women and men to promote effective family communication, empathy, and conflict resolution skills. Furthermore, community leaders should model constructive communication to foster marital resilience and relational harmony. Enhancing communication competence within families can thus serve as a sustainable strategy for reducing domestic violence and promoting family wellbeing in Port Harcourt Metropolis and beyond.

Keywords: Family Communication, Prevalence, Domestic Violence, Women, Protective Factor and Resilience