Influence of Domestic Violence on Pupils’ Social Skills Development in Ondo State, Nigeria
Abstract
Domestic violence is widely recognised as a violation of human rights and a significant public health concern affecting individuals across all age groups and socio-economic backgrounds. This study examined its influence on preschool pupils’ social skills development in Akure South and Akure North, Ondo State. A descriptive survey design using a quantitative approach was adopted, and simple random sampling was used to select ten public and private schools, comprising 120 pre-primary pupils in intact classes and 30 pre-school teachers. Data were collected using two validated instruments: the Domestic Violence Exposure Questionnaire (DVEQ) and the Preschool Social Skills Rating Scale (PSSRS). The DVEQ measured exposure to physical, emotional and psychological violence, while the PSSRS assessed communication, empathy, cooperation and self-regulation skills. Reliability was confirmed through a pilot study with reliability coefficients of 0.80 for the DVEQ and 0.70 for the PSSRS, as determined using Cronbach’s alpha. Data were analysed using frequency count, percentage, and graphs. Findings indicated that childhood exposure to domestic violence was a major contributing factor (40%), with the overall level of violence rated as moderate. Communication skills were the most affected domain (50%). Legal reform and enforcement were perceived as the most effective strategies for addressing domestic violence. The study concluded that domestic violence significantly influences pupils’ social development and recommended structured Social and Emotional Learning programmes and strengthened school–community collaboration for reporting and support.
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