Peer network influence on intimate partner violence perpetration among urban Tanzanian men

Male perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in Tanzania is widespread. Theory and empirical evidence suggest peer networks may play an important role in shaping IPV perpetration, although research on this topic in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. Grounded in social learning theory, social influence theory, and the theory of gender and power, the purpose of this study was to examine whether and how peer networks influence men's perpetration of IPV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We conducted in-depth interviews (n = 40) with a sub-sample of 20 men enrolled in the control condition of an ongoing cluster-randomised controlled trial. We purposively sampled participants who previously reported perpetrating physical IPV. To analyse the data, we generated narrative summaries and conducted thematic and interpretative coding. We saw no evidence that men self-selected into peer networks with certain values or behaviours. Rather, men described several mechanisms through which their peers influenced the perpetration of IPV, including: (1) the internalisation of peer network norms, (2) pressure to conform to peer network norms and (3) the direct involvement of peers in shaping couple power dynamics. Our findings suggest that peer networks influence men's perpetration of IPV and should be targeted in future programmes and interventions

Developmental psychology · Domestic violence · Environmental health · Peer pressure · Peer review · Poison control · Political science · Psychological intervention · Qualitative research · Social network (sociolinguistics · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Tanzania · Thematic analysis · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Gender Politics and Representation · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

• Sociological Theories to Explain Intimate Partner Violence

  Open Access•Sarah R Meyer, Selina Hardt et al.•Trauma Violence & Abuse•2024

  Incluir item

• ‘I trap her with a CD, then tomorrow find her with a big old man who bought her a smart phone’. Constructions of masculinities and transactional sex

  Open Access•Lottie Howard-Merrill, Lottie Howard‐Merrill et al.•Culture Health & Sexuality•2022

  Incluir item

• Exploring the association between segregation and physical intimate partner violence in Lima, Peru

  Open Access•Martín Benavides, Juan Leon et al.•SSM - Population Health•2018

  Incluir item

• Justification of physical intimate partner violence among married men in East Africa evidence from the recent demographic and health survey (2015–2022)

  Open Access•Kaleb Assegid Demissie, Demiss Mulatu Geberu et al.•Frontiers in Sociology•2025

  Incluir item

• Structural Network Position and Performance of Health Leaders Within an HIV Prevention Trial

  Open Access•Marta Mulawa, Marta I Mulawa et al.•AIDS and Behavior•2018

  Incluir item

• In the Islands people don’t really talk about this stuff, so you go through life on your own’

  Emma Heard, Lisa Fitzgerald et al.•Culture Health & Sexuality•2019

  Incluir item

• Understanding reference groups for norms and behaviour change

  Mari Dumbaugh, Alain Manda et al.•Development in Practice•2024

  Incluir item

• Male social embeddedness and intimate partner violence perpetration in Tanzania

  Open Access•Rebecca Brambilla, Gerry Mshana et al.•Social Science & Medicine•2025

  Incluir item

• Identifying Opinion Leaders to Promote Behavior Change

  Open Access•T W Valente, Patchareeya Pumpuang•Health Education & Behavior•2007

  Incluir item

• Addressing violence against women

  Open Access•Claudia García-Moreno, Claudia García‐moreno et al.•The Lancet•2015

  Incluir item

• Adolescent Dating Violence

  Open Access•Ximena B Arriaga, Vangie A Foshee•Journal of Interpersonal Violence•2004

  Incluir item

• Intimate partner violence victimization and alcohol consumption in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  Open Access•Karen M Devries, Jennifer C Child et al.•Addiction•2014

  Incluir item

• Gender-Transformative Interventions to Reduce HIV Risks and Violence with Heterosexually-Active Men

  Open Access•Shari L Dworkin, Sarah Treves-Kagan et al.•AIDS and Behavior•2013

  Incluir item

• Intimate Partner Violence and Incident Depressive Symptoms and Suicide Attempts

  Open Access•Karen M Devries, Joelle Y Mak et al.•PLoS Medicine•2013

  Incluir item

• Prevalence of intimate partner violence

  Open Access•Claudia García-Moreno, Claudia García‐moreno et al.•The Lancet•2006

  Incluir item

• Qualitative Data Analysis in Health Psychology

  Toby Ro Newton-John, Toby Newton‐john•Qualitative Data Analysis in…•2018

  Incluir item

• Interests, Relationships, Identities

  Herbert C Kelman•Annual Review of Psychology•2005

  Incluir item

• Health promoting practices and personal lifestyle behaviors of Brazilian health professionals

  Open Access•Karen Hidalgo, Karen D Hidalgo et al.•BMC Public Health•2016

  Incluir item

• Vijana Vijiweni II

  Open Access•Lusajo J Kajula, Lusajo Kajula et al.•BMC Public Health•2015

  Incluir item

• Comparing Perceptions with Actual Reports of Close Friend’s HIV Testing Behavior Among Urban Tanzanian Men

  Open Access•Marta Mulawa, Thespina J Yamanis et al.•AIDS and Behavior•2016

  Incluir item

• Boys' and young men's perspectives on violence in Northern Tanzania

  Marni Sommer, Samuel Likindikoki et al.•Culture Health & Sexuality•2013

  Incluir item

• Hegemonic masculinity

  Open Access•Rachel Jewkes, Robert Morrell et al.•Culture Health & Sexuality•2015

  Incluir item

• How Violence Constitutes Order

  Open Access•Hilde Jakobsen•Violence Against Women•2016

  Incluir item

• The Measurement of Gender-Role Attitudes

  Open Access•Maureen C Mchugh, Irene Hanson Frieze•Psychology of Women Quarterly•1997

  Incluir item

• Gender and Power

  Judith Stacey, R W Connell•Contemporary Sociology A Journal…•1988

  Incluir item

• Tanzanian Adolescent Boys’ Transitions Through Puberty

  Marni Sommer, Samuel Likindikoki et al.•American Journal of Public Health•2014

  Incluir item

• The Peer Context and the Development of the Perpetration of Adolescent Dating Violence

  Open Access•Vangie A Foshee, Thad Benefield et al.•Journal of Youth and Adolescence•2013

  Incluir item

• Aggression

  Albert Bandura•Stanford Law Review•1973

  Incluir item

• Bend a Fish When the Fish Is Not Yet Dry”

  Open Access•Marni Sommer, Samuel Likindikoki et al.•Archives of Sexual Behavior•2015

  Incluir item

• Evidence of social network influence on multiple HIV risk behaviors and normative beliefs among young Tanzanian men

  Open Access•Marta Mulawa, Thespina J Yamanis et al.•Social Science & Medicine•2016

  Incluir item

• Birds of a Feather

  Miller Mcpherson, L Smith-Lovin et al.•Annual Review of Sociology•2001

  Incluir item