INFLUENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG UNIVERSITY OF BENIN UNDERGRADUATE EDO STATE, NIGERIA
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Abstract
This study investigated the influence of domestic violence on students’ academic
performance among undergraduates of the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The
research was motivated by growing concerns over how various forms of domestic
violence physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and economic affect students’ concentration, motivation, and overall academic success. The study adopted a descriptive survey design using a structured questionnaire administered to 100 randomly selected undergraduate students across different faculties and academic levels. Data were analyzed using simple percentages and frequency tables. Findings revealed that domestic violence is prevalent among university students, with emotional and physical abuse being the most common forms experienced. The results further indicated that exposure to domestic violence significantly impairs students’ academic performance by reducing concentration, increasing absenteeism, and leading to emotional distress, poor grades, and loss of motivation. It was also observed that female students and those from low-income or traditional family backgrounds are more vulnerable to domestic violence compared to their counterparts. The study found that demographic factors such as gender, socio-economic status, and cultural norms influence both the occurrence and reporting of violence. Furthermore, the study highlighted the critical role of social workers in addressing
domestic violence through counseling, advocacy, awareness creation, and policy
intervention. It concluded that domestic violence not only threatens students’ emotional
and psychological well-being but also undermines academic performance and social
development. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the University of Benin and other
higher institutions should establish functional counseling and social work units, conduct
regular awareness and sensitization programs, enforce anti-violence policies, and provide
economic empowerment opportunities for vulnerable students. The study contributes to
the growing body of knowledge by emphasizing that domestic violence is not only a
social problem but also an educational challenge that requires a multidisciplinary
response involving educators, policymakers, and social work professionals.
performance among undergraduates of the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The
research was motivated by growing concerns over how various forms of domestic
violence physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and economic affect students’ concentration, motivation, and overall academic success. The study adopted a descriptive survey design using a structured questionnaire administered to 100 randomly selected undergraduate students across different faculties and academic levels. Data were analyzed using simple percentages and frequency tables. Findings revealed that domestic violence is prevalent among university students, with emotional and physical abuse being the most common forms experienced. The results further indicated that exposure to domestic violence significantly impairs students’ academic performance by reducing concentration, increasing absenteeism, and leading to emotional distress, poor grades, and loss of motivation. It was also observed that female students and those from low-income or traditional family backgrounds are more vulnerable to domestic violence compared to their counterparts. The study found that demographic factors such as gender, socio-economic status, and cultural norms influence both the occurrence and reporting of violence. Furthermore, the study highlighted the critical role of social workers in addressing
domestic violence through counseling, advocacy, awareness creation, and policy
intervention. It concluded that domestic violence not only threatens students’ emotional
and psychological well-being but also undermines academic performance and social
development. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the University of Benin and other
higher institutions should establish functional counseling and social work units, conduct
regular awareness and sensitization programs, enforce anti-violence policies, and provide
economic empowerment opportunities for vulnerable students. The study contributes to
the growing body of knowledge by emphasizing that domestic violence is not only a
social problem but also an educational challenge that requires a multidisciplinary
response involving educators, policymakers, and social work professionals.
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