The Study of the Effect of Polygny on Women and Children

by Ana on Nov.24, 2009, under polygamy general info.

Here is one well known medical research article on polygyny, written by Alean Al – Krenawi, PhD., a well respected Muslim mental health professional who has devoted his clinical practice to the study of the effect of polygyny on women and children.

A Comparison of Family Functioning, Life and Marital Satisfaction, and Mental Health of Women in Polygamous and Monogamous Marriages

Alean Al-Krenawi
Ben-Gurion University

John R. Graham
University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

Background: A considerable body of research concludes that the polygamous family structure has an impact on children’s and wives’ psychological, social and family functioning.

Aims: The present study is among the first to consider within the same ethnoracial community such essential factors as family functioning, life satisfaction, marital satisfaction and mental health functioning among women who are in polygamous marriages and women who are in monogamous marriages.

Method: A sample of 352 women participated in this study: 235 (67%) were in a monogamous marriage and 117 (33%) were in a polygamous marriage.

Results: Findings reveal differences between women in polygamous and monogamous marriages. Women in polygamous marriages showed significantly higher psychological distress, and higher levels of somatisation, phobia and other psychological problems. They also had significantly more problems in family functioning, marital relationships and life satisfaction.

Conclusion: The article calls on public policy and social service personnel to increase public awareness of the significance of polygamous family structures for women’s wellbeing.

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 52, No. 1, 5-17 (2006)

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4 comments for this entry:

Chatelaine
November 24th, 2009 on 7:35 pm
Here is another well known study by Alean Al – Krenawi.

Psychosocial and Familial Functioning of Children From Polygynous and Monogamous Families
Alean Al-Krenawi and Vered Slonim-Nevo
Ben-Gurion University
Abstract:
A sample of 352 Bedouin Arab children— 174 from monogamous and 178 from polygynous families—participated in this study. The authors used standardized measures to assess the participants’ level of self-esteem, mental health, social functioning, father-child relationships, mother-child relationships, and family functioning. The findings revealed that children from polygynous families reported more mental health and social difficulties as well as poorer school achievement and poorer relationships with their fathers than did their counterparts from monogamous families. In addition, the children from polygynous families rated their families’ functioning and economic status as poorer than did those of monogamous families. Thus, the authors suggest that a polygynous family structure negatively affects the family’s socioeconomic status and interpersonal relationships and impairs the children’s psychological and social functioning. The authors discuss implications for practice and policy.
International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 52, No. 1, 5-17 (2006)
omar zaid, m.d.
December 22nd, 2009 on 8:22 am
Salaam To All,

These incomplete and rather biased assessments ignored those societies where polygamy is normally practiced and accepted. They are focused on Canadian cohorts of Arab’s of Bedouin desent in a community where monogomy is the coventional norm and there is overwhelming prejudice against both their religion and lifestyle. In addition, both cohorts are subject to Chauvinist misogynists, and Bedouin misogynists.

There are many other cultures where polygamy is the norm and quite the opposite results could be obtained, such as in many N. African communities. I personally know several colleagues who are the result of polygamous marriages, and all have wonderful testimonies.

Be careful when reviewing such biased literature, as it is scientific but not valid due to its rductionism and consequentlack of a gestalt approach.

wasalaam,

dr omar
Haji Rafiq
December 23rd, 2009 on 7:12 am
Also comparison should be made with divorced families, as often polygamy is an alternative to divorce rather than to a happy monogamous marriage.
omar zaid, m.d.
December 23rd, 2009 on 7:59 am
Agreed. Thank you Brother.

Wasalaam