Journal of Mental Health Research and Innovation
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study was made to determine the effect of Domestic Violence and Broken Home on Children’s Self-esteem in Anka Local Government area of Zamfara State. To find out if Domestic Violence and Broken Home could significantly predict or have effect on children’s self-esteem.
Method: A total of 286 participants comprising 154 males and 132 females were selected through purposive sampling technique from four areas of Anka Local Government area which includes schools from Shiyar Magaji, Galadima, Sabon Gari and Shiyar Ajiya ranges from 12-18 years. Three instruments were used to collect data namely an Index of Family Relation (IFR) developed by Hudson (1982), Self-rating Broken Home developed by Hudson (1982) and an Index of Self-esteem (ISE) developed by Hudson (1982).
Results: Three hypotheses were tested with Pearson Product Moment correlation and t-test. The first hypothesis revealed that a significant negative correlation was found between domestic violence and Children Self-esteem, (r = -0.5, p < 0.05) which implies that Children who experience Domestic Violence suffer Low Self-esteem. Thus, the hypothesis is rejected. The second hypothesis revealed that children from Broken Homes do not significantly differ in self-esteem to those from intact Homes (t = 5.67, p < 0.05). Indicating that student from Broken Homes has significantly lower Self-esteem compare to those from intact Homes (p < 0.05). Thus, the hypothesis is rejected. The third hypothesis revealed that Domestic Violence and Broken Homes jointly account for 37.2% of the variance in Self-esteem. (R2 = 0.372). Both predictors have significant negative impact. Therefore, the hypothesis is rejected.
Conclusion: The study concluded that the aftermath effect of Domestic Violence and Broken Home on Children’s Self-Esteem often leaves the victims with the tendency to be timid, weak willed and Violent in the future overtime may predispose them to mental and physical health conditions.
Keywords: Domestic Violence; Broken Home; Low Self-esteem; Anka Local Government in Zamfara State; Nigeria