Prevalence of Father–Daughter Incestuous Relationship as Perceived by Literate Adults in Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to ascertain how common father-daughter incestuous relationships are among literate individuals in Nigeria. The study used the descriptive survey approach. All adults in Nigeria who were literate made up the target population. The study's sample was chosen by the application of a multistage sampling technique. Data were gathered using a study tool called the "prevalence of father-daughter incestuous questionnaire (PFIQ)". Counselling psychologists with expertise in the field established the instrument's content validity. Using a test-retest approach, the instrument's reliability coefficient was determined, yielding a coefficient of 0.75. The results showed that there is a significant prevalence of incestuous relationships between fathers and daughters (24.9%). Regarding the frequency of father-daughter incestuous relationships, there were notable variations among the participants according to gender [t(1198) =-5.13;p,0,05] and home type [t(1198)=2.23;p<0.05]. The results have implications for counselling practice and education, including the requirement that counsellors have training in managing father-daughter incestuous relationships. The sexuality and family life education programmes should cover techniques for managing father-daughter incestuous relationships. It is consequently advised that, in order to lessen the incidence of father-daughter incestuous relationships, religious organisations educate their followers about the risks involved. To raise public awareness of the need to combat this social threat in our society, the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) ought to host conferences, workshops, and seminars on father-daughter incestuous relationships.