The socioeconomic and psychological implications of polygamy: a quantitative and qualitative analysis concerning disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) in Nigeria

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.