Keywords
domestic violence
married couples
rapport
trust
congruence
active listening
emotional management
Douala IV Municipality
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Abstract
Domestic violence remains a persistent threat to marital stability and public health in Cameroon, with Douala IV Municipality facing high prevalence alongside a largely informal, under-evaluated counseling sector. This study examined the influence of counseling services on domestic violence among married couples in Douala IV Municipality, focusing specifically on five counseling process variables: rapport, trust, congruence, active listening, and emotional management. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, drawing on primary data collected from 400 married respondents through a structured questionnaire, selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Multiple Correspondence Analysis, weighted mean scores, correlation analysis, and Ordinary Least Squares multiple regression. All six constructs demonstrated strong reliability, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.904 to 0.962. Correlation analysis revealed statistically significant negative relationships between all five counseling process variables and domestic violence (p < 0.01), with active listening (r = -0.597), congruence (r = -0.591), and rapport (r = -0.572) showing the strongest associations. Regression results confirmed that all five variables significantly and negatively reduces have a negative and significant effects on domestic violence, collectively explaining 64.6% of the variance in outcomes (R² = 0.646, F(5, 394) = 143.77, p < 0.001), with rapport emerging as the strongest predictor (β = -0.249), followed by active listening, congruence, trust, and emotional management. All the five null hypotheses were rejected, though the strength of this relationship was itself shaped by considerable inconsistency in how rapport, trust, congruence, active listening, and emotional management were experienced across counseling encounters, with weighted mean scores clustering near the scale midpoint and most respondents relying on informal religious and community-based counseling rather than professional services. The study recommends standardized counselor training and expanded access to structured, evidence-based counseling services in Douala IV.
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