Authors : Udedibie, O. B. I.; Arukwe, V. I.; Martins-Eteng, C.; Uzo, C. G.; Ogbu, P. N.; Amaole, C. S.

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/ysph5y2r

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/mspez7ze

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr1437

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Abstract : The Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria maintain strong cultural marriage traditions, but contemporary social changes – including Christianity, modernity, and increasing inter-ethnic unions – have introduced new dynamics. Little empirical research has simultaneously examined how intermarriage, sexual satisfaction, and marital quality affect the quality of life of Igbo couples. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed. The sample comprised 396 married Igbo individuals (198 couples) from Anambra, Enugu, and Imo States, including 56 inter-ethnic couples (IgboYoruba, Igbo-Hausa, Igbo-Ibibio/Efik). Culturally adapted measures were used: Marital Quality Scale (including an extended-family integration subscale), Sexual Satisfaction Inventory (adding a “freedom from cultural constraints” subscale), and WHOQOL-BREF. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, correlations, and path analysis; qualitative interviews (n = 40) were analyzed thematically. Sexual satisfaction was moderate-to-high (M = 68.4, SD = 12.6), with males reporting significantly higher satisfaction than females, t(394) = 3.42, p < 0.001. Intra-married couples reported higher sexual satisfaction than inter-married couples, t(394) = 2.18, p = 0.030. Inter-married couples showed higher dyadic satisfaction and cohesion but significantly lower extended-family integration compared to intramarried couples, t(394) = 5.72, p < 0.001. Sexual satisfaction strongly predicted marital quality (β = 0.42, p < 0.001), and marital quality was the strongest direct predictor of quality of life (β = 0.46, p < 0.001), partially mediating the effect of sexual satisfaction (indirect effect = 0.19, bootstrapped 95% CI [0.12, 0.26]). Cultural moderators included the procreative imperative, extended-family influence, gender-role expectations, religious framing, and urban-rural location. Marital quality is the central pathway through which sexual satisfaction influences quality of life among Igbo couples. Inter-ethnic marriage presents a trade-off: stronger dyadic bonds but weaker family integration. Culturally grounded interventions should address extended-family dynamics, gender inequalities in sexual agency, and the procreative imperative.

Keywords : Inter-Ethnic Marriage, Sexual Satisfaction, Marital Quality, Quality of Life, Igbo Culture, Nigeria, Gender Inequality, Mixed-Methods.

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