INFLUENCE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OF MARRIED ADULTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ACROSS DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study explored the influence of emotional intelligence on domestic violence among married adults in Tertiary Institutions Across Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined how key dimensions of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, empathy, and social skills contributes to the occurrence or reduction of domestic violence among married persons across the state. A correlational survey design was adopted for the research. The target population comprised all married staf members in three tertiary institutions: the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Ef urun; Southern Delta University, Ozoro; and Admiralty University, Ibusa. Altogether, the population consisted of 3,186 married persons (1,973 males and 1,213 females). From this population, a sample of 540 participants was selected through a multi- stage random sampling technique. Data were gathered using a researcher-designed instrument titled *Emotional Intelligence and Domestic Violence Scale (EDVS)*. The instrument’s validity was confirmed through expert review in Measurement and Evaluation, followed by factor analysis for item extraction. Reliability: Cronbach’s Alpha produced coef icients of α = 0.79 for the Emotional Intelligence subscale and α = 0.80 for the Domestic Violence, indicating satisfactory internal consistency. Descriptive statistics and coef icients of determination addressed the research question, while multiple regression analysis tested the null hypothesis at the 0.05 significance level. Results indicated a significant association between the variables. Conversely, self-awareness and self-regulation showed no significant predictive relationship with domestic violence among married persons. From these findings, the study recommends that interventions aimed at curbing domestic violence should prioritize the enhancement of self-motivation, empathy, and social interaction skills among the married.