PAPER ID: Vol. III Issue IV (January to March 2026) /51-61 /7
AUTHOR : EDETA, EWOMAZINO JAMES
TITLE: SOCIO-CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF FAMILY DUTY OF CARE FOR MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA
ABSTRACT: Mental illness remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in the South-South geopolitical zone where cultural beliefs, economic constraints, and limited health infrastructure intersect to shape family caregiving dynamics. This study examines how socio-cultural perceptions (beliefs, attitudes, and stigma) and economic factors (illiteracy and poverty) influence family duty of care for mentally ill patients in South-South Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional survey design with 384 family caregivers selected through multi-stage sampling, data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple regression analysis. Findings reveal that negative perceptions and stigma significantly reduce formal help-seeking behavior (β = -0.342, p < 0.001), while illiteracy and poverty create substantial barriers to consistent care provision (β = -0.287, p < 0.001 and β = -0.315, p < 0.001 respectively). The study concludes that addressing mental health care in South-South Nigeria requires integrated interventions targeting cultural stigma reduction, economic empowerment, and health literacy improvement among families.
KEYWORDS : Mental illness, family duty of care, stigma, poverty, illiteracy, South-South Nigeria, and caregivers
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