IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/socmed/v292y2022ics0277953621009382.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Masculinity, power and structural constraints: Men's conceptualization of emotional abuse in Mwanza, Tanzania

Author

Listed:
  • Mshana, Gerry
  • Peter, Esther
  • Malibwa, Donati
  • Aloyce, Diana
  • Kapiga, Saidi
  • Stöckl, Heidi

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is a global problem with devastating social and health consequences to individuals and families. While some forms of intimate partner violence such as physical and sexual violence have been explored in depth, there is a lack of clarity on men's perspectives of emotional violence, particularly in low-income countries. Yet it is recognized that incorporating men's perspectives and participation is crucial for addressing intimate partner violence. We draw from in-depth interviews with 30 men and 1, 645 pictures collected through photo voice to explore men's conceptualization and experiences of emotional violence by female partners in Mwanza, Tanzania. A sub-sample of the men (n = 16) were interviewed for a second time about pictures showing different aspects of their lives. The fieldwork was conducted between April and December 2019, and the data were analyzed through a multistage inductive process. Participants described emotional violence through a narrative of ‘being hurt’ by some actions or words of their partners. These included: verbal complaints about failure to provide for family, partner's infidelity and flirting with other men, accusation of poor sexual performance, and perceived normative deviance characterized by coming home late and not carrying out domestic chores. Threatened masculinities drawing from negative communal normative ideals, and the underlying interpersonal power struggles with their partners for the control of economic provision, sexual intimacy and family matters framed men's definitions of emotional violence. Ongoing changes such as women's ownership and engagement in economic activities and the scarcity of employment opportunities for men challenges their household dominance. Multicomponent interventions should target men, couples and communal ideals reinforcing negative masculinity. Analysis of interpersonal power and structural dynamics influencing relationships must inform the design of interventions instead of the narrow focus on individual demographic attributes.

Suggested Citation

  • Mshana, Gerry & Peter, Esther & Malibwa, Donati & Aloyce, Diana & Kapiga, Saidi & Stöckl, Heidi, 2022. "Masculinity, power and structural constraints: Men's conceptualization of emotional abuse in Mwanza, Tanzania," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:292:y:2022:i:c:s0277953621009382
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114606
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953621009382
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114606?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Krishnan, Suneeta & Rocca, Corinne H. & Hubbard, Alan E. & Subbiah, Kalyani & Edmeades, Jeffrey & Padian, Nancy S., 2010. "Do changes in spousal employment status lead to domestic violence? Insights from a prospective study in Bangalore, India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(1), pages 136-143, January.
    2. Courtenay, Will H., 2000. "Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well-being: a theory of gender and health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(10), pages 1385-1401, May.
    3. Andrew Gibbs & Kristin Dunkle & Rachel Jewkes, 2018. "Emotional and economic intimate partner violence as key drivers of depression and suicidal ideation: A cross-sectional study among young women in informal settlements in South Africa," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, April.
    4. Vyas, Seema & Jansen, Henrica AFM. & Heise, Lori & Mbwambo, Jessie, 2015. "Exploring the association between women's access to economic resources and intimate partner violence in Dar es Salaam and Mbeya, Tanzania," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 307-315.
    5. Green, Eric P. & Blattman, Christopher & Jamison, Julian & Annan, Jeannie, 2015. "Women's entrepreneurship and intimate partner violence: A cluster randomized trial of microenterprise assistance and partner participation in post-conflict Uganda (SSM-D-14-01580R1)," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 177-188.
    6. Siu, Godfrey E. & Seeley, Janet & Wight, Daniel, 2013. "Dividuality, masculine respectability and reputation: How masculinity affects men's uptake of HIV treatment in rural eastern Uganda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 45-52.
    7. Wang, Caroline & Burris, Mary Ann & Ping, Xiang Yue, 1996. "Chinese village women as visual anthropologists: A participatory approach to reaching policymakers," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 42(10), pages 1391-1400, May.
    8. Gibbs, Andrew & Abdelatif, Nada & Washington, Laura & Chirwa, Esnat & Willan, Samantha & Shai, Nwabisa & Sikweyiya, Yandisa & Jewkes, Rachel, 2020. "Differential impact on men in an IPV prevention intervention: A post hoc analysis using latent class analysis of the Stepping Stones and Creating Futures intervention in South Africa," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    9. Karen M Devries & Joelle Y Mak & Loraine J Bacchus & Jennifer C Child & Gail Falder & Max Petzold & Jill Astbury & Charlotte H Watts, 2013. "Intimate Partner Violence and Incident Depressive Symptoms and Suicide Attempts: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-11, May.
    10. Sara J Shuman & Kathryn L Falb & Lauren F Cardoso & Heather Cole & Denise Kpebo & Jhumka Gupta, 2016. "Perceptions and Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-12, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Abel Kinyondo & Magashi Joseph, 2021. "Women’s employment status and domestic violence in Tanzania: How do they link?," International Journal of Social Welfare, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 216-225, April.
    2. Ana Maria Buller & Amber Peterman & Meghna Ranganathan & Alexandra Bleile & Melissa Hidrobo & Lori Heise, 2018. "A Mixed-Method Review of Cash Transfers and Intimate Partner Violence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 33(2), pages 218-258.
    3. Kyegombe, Nambusi & Stern, Erin & Buller, Ana Maria, 2022. "“We saw that jealousy can also bring violence”: A qualitative exploration of the intersections between jealousy, infidelity and intimate partner violence in Rwanda and Uganda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    4. Arzu Kibris & Phillip Nelson, 2023. "Female income generation and intimate partner violence: Evidence from a representative survey in Turkey," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(6), pages 963-978, August.
    5. Mbonye, Martin & Siu, Godfrey & Seeley, Janet, 2022. "Marginal men, respectable masculinity and access to HIV services through intimate relationships with female sex workers in Kampala, Uganda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).
    6. Sánchez-Sandoval, Yolanda & Aragón, Claudia & Verdugo, Laura, 2022. "Future expectations of adolescents in Residential Care: The role of self-perceptions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    7. Wiklund, Maria & Bengs, Carita & Malmgren-Olsson, Eva-Britt & Öhman, Ann, 2010. "Young women facing multiple and intersecting stressors of modernity, gender orders and youth," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(9), pages 1567-1575, November.
    8. Parker, Rhiannon & Larkin, Theresa & Cockburn, Jon, 2017. "A visual analysis of gender bias in contemporary anatomy textbooks," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 106-113.
    9. Michelle Calvarese, 2015. "The Effect of Gender on Stress Factors: An Exploratory Study among University Students," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-8, November.
    10. Oliffe, John, 2005. "Constructions of masculinity following prostatectomy-induced impotence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(10), pages 2249-2259, May.
    11. Go, Vivian F. & Srikrishnan, Aylur K. & Salter, Megan L. & Mehta, Shruti & Johnson, Sethulakshmi C. & Sivaram, Sudha & Davis, Wendy & Solomon, Suniti & Celentano, David D., 2010. "Factors associated with the perpetration of sexual violence among wine-shop patrons in Chennai, India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(7), pages 1277-1284, October.
    12. Hatcher, Abigail M. & Gibbs, Andrew & McBride, Ruari-Santiago & Rebombo, Dumisani & Khumalo, Mzwakhe & Christofides, Nicola J., 2022. "Gendered syndemic of intimate partner violence, alcohol misuse, and HIV risk among peri-urban, heterosexual men in South Africa," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    13. Yolanda Mejías-Martín & Celia Martí-García & Yolanda Rodríguez-Mejías & Ana Alejandra Esteban-Burgos & Víctor Cruz-García & María Paz García-Caro, 2023. "Understanding for Prevention: Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Suicide Notes and Forensic Reports," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, January.
    14. Diksha Sapkota & Kathleen Baird & Amornrat Saito & Pappu Rijal & Rita Pokharel & Debra Anderson, 2020. "‘We don’t see because we don’t ask’: Qualitative exploration of service users’ and health professionals’ views regarding a psychosocial intervention targeting pregnant women experiencing domestic and ," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, March.
    15. Abhijit Banerjee, 2016. "Policies for a better-fed world," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 152(1), pages 3-17, February.
    16. Ruchira Tabassum Naved & Mahfuz Al Mamun & Kausar Parvin & Samantha Willan & Andrew Gibbs & Marat Yu & Rachel Jewkes, 2018. "Magnitude and correlates of intimate partner violence against female garment workers from selected factories in Bangladesh," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, November.
    17. Daniele Pennesi, 2020. "Identity and information acquisition," Carlo Alberto Notebooks 610, Collegio Carlo Alberto, revised 2021.
    18. Morioka, Rika, 2014. "Gender difference in the health risk perception of radiation from Fukushima in Japan: The role of hegemonic masculinity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 105-112.
    19. Gustavo J Bobonis & Roberto Castro & Juan S Morales, 2020. "Legal Reforms, Conditional Cash Transfers, and Intimate Partner Violence: Evidence from Mexico," Working Papers tecipa-678, University of Toronto, Department of Economics.
    20. Padilla-Romo, María & Peluffo, Cecilia & Viollaz, Mariana, 2022. "Parents' Effective Time Endowment and Divorce: Evidence from Extended School Days," IZA Discussion Papers 15304, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:292:y:2022:i:c:s0277953621009382. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/315/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.