Perceived Causes of Domestic Violence among Couples as Reported by Educated Adults in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria

Domestic violence remains a pervasive social problem with serious implications for individual wellbeing, family stability, and societal development. Although it is often associated with poverty, illiteracy, and rural settings, evidence suggests that educated adults are not immune to domestic violence, either as victims or perpetrators. This study investigated the causes of domestic violence among couples as reported by educated adults in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria, and examined whether perceptions differed based on gender, educational qualification, and age. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, involving 200 educated married adults selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that stress and frustration ranked as the leading perceived cause of domestic violence, followed by infidelity, lack of conflict resolution skills, and power imbalance. Economic factors such as poverty, financial dependence, and economic stress were perceived as less influential among the educated population. Inferential analysis showed no significant differences in perceptions of the causes of domestic violence based on gender, educational qualification, or age. The study concludes that domestic violence among educated couples is largely driven by psychological, relational, and socio-cultural factors rather than purely economic conditions. The findings underscore the need for holistic interventions focusing on stress management, effective communication, and the transformation of harmful cultural norms within marital relationships. Keywords: Domestic violence, Educated adults, Couples, Stress and frustration, Marital conflict,