The Socioeconomic and Psychological Implications of Polygamy: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis Concerning Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in Nigeria

Authors

  • Torkuma Matthew Garba Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Makurdi Command, Benue State Author
  • Richard Akaan Department of Political Science, University of Mkar, Mkar, Benue State, Nigeria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18485/fb_ijcss.2025.1.1.3

Keywords:

polygamy, disaster risk reduction, social capital, economic resilience, psychological stability, household systems, Nigeria

Abstract

This study interrogates the socioeconomic and psychological dimensions of polygamy in Nigeria through the lens of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), employing a robust mixed-methods approach that synthesises quantitative statistical modelling, qualitative ethnographic fieldwork, and critical reasoning. As an entrenched sociocultural institution, polygamy shapes resource allocation, social capital dynamics, psychological resilience, and adaptive capacity within households exposed to disaster risks. This research rigorously evaluates the extent to which polygamous configurations enhance or constrain disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Key analytical foci include economic efficiency, intra-household cooperation, mental health outcomes, and political agency within polygamous settings. Empirical findings reveal that polygamous households often exhibit superior social capital, resource pooling, and collective support systems—critical assets in volatile environments. However, they simultaneously contend with heightened financial burdens, legal indeterminacy, hierarchical tensions, and complexities in crisis-time decision-making. Rather than advancing reductive judgments, the study proposes a nuanced DRRM policy framework that recognises polygamy’s structural assets while mitigating its inherent risks. By transcending Eurocentric analytical templates, this research advances the global literature on indigenous family systems, economic resilience, and disaster governance. It offers theoretically sophisticated and contextually grounded insights for policymakers, sociologists, and emergency management practitioners committed to culturally responsive resilience-building in Nigeria.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Al-Krenawi, A., & Graham, J. R. (2006). A comparison of family functioning, life and marital satisfaction, and mental health of women in polygamous and monogamous marriages. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 52(1), 5–17.

2. Al-Krenawi, A., & Lightman, E. S. (2000). Learning achievement, social adjustment, and family conflict among Bedouin-Arab children from polygamous and monogamous families. Journal of Social Psychology, 140(3), 345–355.

3. Al-Krenawi, A., & Slonim-Nevo, V. (2008). Psychosocial and familial functioning of children from polygynous and monogamous families. Journal of Social Psychology, 148(6), 745–764.

4. Al-Krenawi, A., Graham, J. R., & Slonim-Nevo, V. (2002). Mental health aspects of Arab-Israeli adolescents from polygamous versus monogamous families. Journal of Social Psychology, 142(4), 446–460.

5. Anderson, S., & Ray, D. (2010). Missing women: Age and disease. Review of Economic Studies, 77(4), 1262–1300.

6. Bove, R., & Valeggia, C. (2009). Polygyny and women's health in sub-Saharan Africa. Social Science & Medicine, 68(1), 21–29.

7. Broude, G. J. (1994). Marriage, family, and relationships: A cross-cultural encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO.

8. Chowdhry, P. (2018). Polygamy in India: Resilience and dissonance. Routledge.

9. Cvetković, V., Čvorović, M., & Beriša, H. (2023a). The Gender Dimension of Vulnerability in Disaster Caused by the Corona Virus (Covid-19). NBP, 28(2), 32-54.

10. Elbedour, S., Bart, W. M., & Hektner, J. M. (2000). Scholastic achievement and family marital structure: Bedouin-Arab adolescents from monogamous and polygamous families in Israel. Journal of Social Psychology, 140(4), 503–514.

11. Elbedour, S., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., Caridine, C., & Abu-Saad, H. (2002). The effect of polygamous marital structure on behavioural, emotional, and academic adjustment in children: A comprehensive review of the literature. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 5(4), 255–271.

12. Gibson, K. R. (2011). The roles of operational sex ratio and young-old ratio in producing suicide attackers. University of Utah.

13. Gibson, M. A., & Mace, R. (2007). Polygyny, reproductive success, and child health in rural Ethiopia: Why marry a married man? Journal of Biosocial Science, 39(2), 287–300.

14. Gurmu, E., & Etana, D. (2014). Age at first marriage and first birth interval in Ethiopia: Analysis of the roles of social and demographic factors. African Population Studies, 28(3), 1332–1344.

15. Hassouneh-Phillips, D. S. (2001). "Marriage is half of faith, and the rest is fear Allah": Marriage and spousal abuse among American Muslims. Violence Against Women, 7(8), 927–946.

16. Henrich, J., Boyd, R., & Richerson, P. J. (2012). The puzzle of monogamous marriage. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 367(1589), 657–669.

17. Hudson, V. M., & Matfess, H. (2017). In Plain Sight: The Neglected Linkage between brideprice and Violent Conflict. International Security, 42(1), 7–40.

18. Jankowiak, W., Sudakov, M., & Wilreker, B. C. (2005). Co-wife conflict and co-operation. Ethnology, 44(1), 81–98.

19. Josephson, J. (2005). The intersectionality of domestic violence and welfare in the lives of poor women. Journal of Poverty, 9(3), 3–23.

20. Kalmijn, M. (2007). Explaining cross-national differences in marriage, cohabitation, and divorce in Europe, 1990–2000. Population Studies, 61(3), 243–263.

21. Khawaja, M., & Barazi, R. (2005). Prevalence of wife beating in Jordanian refugee camps: Reports by men and women. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 59(10), 840–841.

22. Klomegah, R. Y. (1997). Sociodemographic characteristics of domestic violence victims in Ghana. Journal of Family Violence, 12(4), 365–371.

23. Kramer, K. L. (2005). Children's help and the pace of reproduction: Cooperative breeding in humans. Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews, 14(6), 224–237.

24. Lawson, D. W., & Gibson, M. A. (2018). Polygynous marriage and child health in sub-Saharan Africa: What is the evidence for harm? Demographic Research, 39, 177–208.

Downloads

Published

30.06.2025

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies

Section

International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Torkuma Matthew Garba, Richard Akaan (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

By submitting a manuscript to the International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, authors acknowledge and agree to the following copyright terms and conditions:

  1. Author Rights and Ownership

    • Authors retain the copyright to their submitted work. However, by submitting their manuscript, authors grant the International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies a non-exclusive right to publish, distribute, and archive the work in any format (print, digital, or electronic).
    • Authors are free to share, reproduce, and distribute their published work, provided proper credit is given to the original publication in this journal.

  2. Licensing and Open Access Policy

    • The journal publishes under the [insert applicable license, e.g., Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY)], which allows others to share and adapt the work with appropriate attribution.
    • Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submission complies with the journal's licensing terms and does not violate any third-party rights.

  3. Originality and Permissions

    • The submitted work must be original and not previously published or under consideration elsewhere.
    • If the manuscript includes copyrighted materials (e.g., figures, tables, excerpts), authors must obtain the necessary permissions for reproduction and provide appropriate attribution.

  4. Author Warranties

    • By submitting, authors confirm that their work does not infringe on any intellectual property rights, is free from plagiarism, and adheres to ethical publishing standards.
    • The journal is not responsible for any legal disputes arising from copyright infringement, misrepresentation, or unauthorized use of third-party materials.

  5. Editorial and Publication Rights

    • The International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies reserves the right to make editorial modifications to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance with journal standards.
    • If accepted, the manuscript will be published online and made publicly available according to the journal’s open-access policy.

By proceeding with submission, authors confirm that they have read and agreed to the terms outlined in this Copyright Notice.

How to Cite

Garba, T. M., & Akaan, R. . (2025). The Socioeconomic and Psychological Implications of Polygamy: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis Concerning Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in Nigeria. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 25-34. https://doi.org/10.18485/fb_ijcss.2025.1.1.3

Similar Articles

1-10 of 32

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.