Determinants and Perception of Incest in Family Relationships in Uyo Capital City, Nigeria

This study investigates the determinants and perceptions of incest in family relationships within Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Despite strong cultural and legal taboos, incest persists, necessitating an exploration of its root causes and societal views. Using a cross-sectional...

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Main Authors: Victoria Nkan, Enwongo Abasi Udofia, Deborah Uduk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Department of Home Economics & Hospitality Management Education, University of Nigeria, P.M.B. 410001, Nsukka, Nigeria. 2024-12-01
Series:International Journal of Home Economics, Hospitality and Allied Research
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Online Access:https://www.ijhhr.org/-vol-3-issue-2/10-57012-ijhhr-v3n2-002/
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author Victoria Nkan
Enwongo Abasi Udofia
Deborah Uduk
author_facet Victoria Nkan
Enwongo Abasi Udofia
Deborah Uduk
author_sort Victoria Nkan
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the determinants and perceptions of incest in family relationships within Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Despite strong cultural and legal taboos, incest persists, necessitating an exploration of its root causes and societal views. Using a cross-sectional survey of 800 respondents (382 males, 418 females), the research identifies key determinants of incest, including poverty (15%), depression (14%), and alcoholism (16%), as well as factors like single parenting (15%) and divorce/separation (20%). A factor analysis groups these causes into psychological, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors, revealing that emotional instability, financial hardship, and environmental vulnerabilities significantly increase the risk of incestuous behavior. Regarding perception, 51% of respondents strongly agreed that incest occurs frequently, with 50% specifically acknowledging its prevalence in Uyo Capital City. The study highlights the role of stigma, cultural sensitivity, and under-reporting as major barriers to addressing incest cases. Incest was perceived as particularly prevalent during periods of social or economic instability, such as the COVID-19 lockdown, with 50% of respondents strongly agreeing that cases increased during this time. The findings underscore the need for a multi-faceted intervention strategy involving community leaders, policymakers, and mental health professionals. This study provides a critical framework for developing policies aimed at preventing incest and promoting healthier family dynamics in Uyo and similar regions.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2971-5121
3027-1819
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Department of Home Economics & Hospitality Management Education, University of Nigeria, P.M.B. 410001, Nsukka, Nigeria.
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series International Journal of Home Economics, Hospitality and Allied Research
spelling doaj-art-fe512994dfcb4552b3c3718290a697be2025-01-25T06:57:26ZengDepartment of Home Economics & Hospitality Management Education, University of Nigeria, P.M.B. 410001, Nsukka, Nigeria.International Journal of Home Economics, Hospitality and Allied Research2971-51213027-18192024-12-0132122810.57012/ijhhr.v3n2.002Determinants and Perception of Incest in Family Relationships in Uyo Capital City, NigeriaVictoria Nkan0Enwongo Abasi Udofia1Deborah Uduk2Department of Home Economics, University of Uyo, P.M.B. 1017 Uyo, NigeriaDepartment of Home Economics, University of Uyo, P.M.B. 1017 Uyo, NigeriaDepartment of Home Economics, University of Uyo, P.M.B. 1017 Uyo, NigeriaThis study investigates the determinants and perceptions of incest in family relationships within Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Despite strong cultural and legal taboos, incest persists, necessitating an exploration of its root causes and societal views. Using a cross-sectional survey of 800 respondents (382 males, 418 females), the research identifies key determinants of incest, including poverty (15%), depression (14%), and alcoholism (16%), as well as factors like single parenting (15%) and divorce/separation (20%). A factor analysis groups these causes into psychological, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors, revealing that emotional instability, financial hardship, and environmental vulnerabilities significantly increase the risk of incestuous behavior. Regarding perception, 51% of respondents strongly agreed that incest occurs frequently, with 50% specifically acknowledging its prevalence in Uyo Capital City. The study highlights the role of stigma, cultural sensitivity, and under-reporting as major barriers to addressing incest cases. Incest was perceived as particularly prevalent during periods of social or economic instability, such as the COVID-19 lockdown, with 50% of respondents strongly agreeing that cases increased during this time. The findings underscore the need for a multi-faceted intervention strategy involving community leaders, policymakers, and mental health professionals. This study provides a critical framework for developing policies aimed at preventing incest and promoting healthier family dynamics in Uyo and similar regions. https://www.ijhhr.org/-vol-3-issue-2/10-57012-ijhhr-v3n2-002/determinantsfamily relationshipsincestpsychological triggers socioeconomic factorsuyo
spellingShingle Victoria Nkan
Enwongo Abasi Udofia
Deborah Uduk
Determinants and Perception of Incest in Family Relationships in Uyo Capital City, Nigeria
International Journal of Home Economics, Hospitality and Allied Research
determinants
family relationships
incest
psychological triggers socioeconomic factors
uyo
title Determinants and Perception of Incest in Family Relationships in Uyo Capital City, Nigeria
title_full Determinants and Perception of Incest in Family Relationships in Uyo Capital City, Nigeria
title_fullStr Determinants and Perception of Incest in Family Relationships in Uyo Capital City, Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Determinants and Perception of Incest in Family Relationships in Uyo Capital City, Nigeria
title_short Determinants and Perception of Incest in Family Relationships in Uyo Capital City, Nigeria
title_sort determinants and perception of incest in family relationships in uyo capital city nigeria
topic determinants
family relationships
incest
psychological triggers socioeconomic factors
uyo
url https://www.ijhhr.org/-vol-3-issue-2/10-57012-ijhhr-v3n2-002/
work_keys_str_mv AT victoriankan determinantsandperceptionofincestinfamilyrelationshipsinuyocapitalcitynigeria
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AT deborahuduk determinantsandperceptionofincestinfamilyrelationshipsinuyocapitalcitynigeria