Faith influence on help-seeking among Nigerian women with lived experience of intimate partner abuse

Abstract Background Intimate partner abuse (IPA) remains a serious public health concern, particularly within minority migrant communities in the UK. This study explores how faith beliefs affect help-seeking behaviours among Nigerian women survivors of IPA in England. Methods This is a secondary analysis of qualitative interview data originally collected by the author for a doctoral study. Participants included 16 Nigerian women with lived experience of IPA and nine Nigerian community and religious leaders living in England. Following Braun and Clarke's six-phase approach, thematic analysis was applied to explore the influence of faith on help-seeking behaviours. Results Four thematic categories emerged: Religious Endurance Ideology, Spiritual Trust vs. Institutional Mistrust, Faith-Based Coping and Resolution, and Religious Leaders as Mediators and Gatekeepers. Study participants reported internalising faith teachings that promoted endurance, trusting clergy over statutory services due to fear and mistrust, and using prayer and fasting for coping. Additionally, clergy- often untrained in responding to abuse disclosures- prioritised reconciliation, thereby contributing to delays in accessing formal help. Conclusions Religious belief significantly shapes the help-seeking pathways of Nigerian women in England who face IPA. Public health systems must develop frameworks that acknowledge the complex role of faith. Collaborative interventions involving training religious leaders may improve early help-seeking access and service utilisation. Public health initiatives should consider leveraging the social capital of faith-based institutions in developing intersectional approaches that consider religion, immigration status, and race in responding to IPA. Key messages • Faith can support coping but also hinder help-seeking among ethnic minority women facing intimate partner abuse. • Faith-informed interventions are vital for effective public health responses to intimate partner abuse.