The Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence and its Association with Adult Attachment Styles among University of Nairobi Undergraduate Students

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is globally recognized as a critical public health and human rights concern. This issue is especially prevalent among university students. However, there is still insufficient empirical evidence on the psychological dimensions of IPV from the perspective of attachment theory. Specifically, more research is needed on how attachment styles influence IPV victimization within academic settings. This analytical cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between IPV victimization and adult attachment styles, along with relevant sociodemographic factors. Data collection employed validated and standardized instruments, including the adapted Adult Attachment Scale and WHO scale to measure attachment styles and IPV, respectively. Additionally, a designed sociodemographic scale assessed respondents’ attributes. The study targeted undergraduate students at the University of Nairobi, with data collected electronically using Kobo Collect software from a sample of 445 students (38.7% male, 61.3% female). Data analysis, performed using STATA version 17, revealed that the majority of participants (81.3%) were aged between 18 and 25 years, with an overall IPV prevalence of 41.1%. Bivariate correlational analyses demonstrated significant positive associations between IPV prevalence and both anxious and avoidant attachment styles. Students with anxious attachment styles were four times more likely to experience IPV compared to those with secure attachment (p