The impact of domestic violence on the psychological well-being of family members; case study: Bumasifwa sub-county, Sironko district

Abstract

There is a growing recognition of the prevalence of domestic violence in Uganda, which is a social vice that has far reaching consequences in families and the entire society. The exposure of children and adults to violence in their families at homesteads affects their socialization. The research sought to investigate the causes of domestic violence and its effects on psychological wellbeing of family members in the Sub-county of Bumasifwa Sironko District. The Objective of the study was to find out and analyze the prevalence, causes and effect of domestic violence on the psychological wellbeing of family members in the Sub-county of Bumasifwa, Sironko District. The research employed the descriptive survey design, a sample of 62 from married or cohabiting adults, 18 children, 6 teachers, 15 community and local leaders, local government leaders and 3 police officers who were selected through purposive and random sampling techniques. The data for this research was collected from primary and secondary sources. Secondary data was collected from available literature such as books, journals; periodical reports while primary data was collected using questionnaires, focus discussion groups, interview schedules and observation method. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and presented in tables and graphs. Majority of the respondents identified poverty with the society as a cause of domestic violence together with alcoholism by men, adultery and unfaithfulness within the family, family negligence and oppression by men. The battery of women and children rated high, while exposure of violence scenes before children was the least form of domestic violence experienced. All forms of domestic violence were seen to have a purpose, to harm, gain and maintain control over the victim. The effect of domestic violence is devastating and long lasting on the victims. Men, women, and children living in an abusive environment find themselves in situations that may lead to disillusionment and self-destruction. In this research, the effects of domestic violence identified were loss of family development/investment, divorce and polygamy and family negligence by men, poor performance and drop out by children from school, also indiscipline by young teenagers was reported to be on the increase because of domestic violence in families Respondents recommended domestic violence preventative mechanism to include empowerment of communities while using traditional preventative mechanisms, sensitization of communities on laws/by-laws of domestic violence, regulation of time of sale and consumption of alcohol in the communities, and introduction of community/family psychosocial structures. There is no easy solution to the problems of domestic violence as its elimination requires changes in the very nature of society. That not withstanding, the researcher recommends empowerment of the community with basic knowledge of domestic violence; enforcement or implementation of existing legislation on domestic violence by the relevant authorities; the judiciary, law enforcement agencies among others in the communities; strengthening the capacity of families to care for and protect children against violence through improved relations in the home, have functional community child protection structures and systems as well as having comprehensive government policy on violence against children.