Physical Boundary Violation Behaviors among Families in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study examined physical boundary violation behaviours and their underlying causes among families in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two specific purposes, two research questions, and two null hypotheses, and adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 1,468,793 households in Anambra State, from which a sample of 400 respondents was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that was validated by seven experts from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and pilot-tested with 40 respondents in Enugu State. Reliability analysis using Cronbach’s Alpha yielded a coefficient of 0.80. Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and t-test statistics. Findings revealed that physical boundary violations are prevalent among family members, with key behaviours including checking phones or messages without permission and physical aggression, among others. The major causes of boundary violations identified include lack of awareness of personal boundaries, poor communication, blame-shifting, and neglect of family roles. The t-test results indicated no significant differences in perceptions of physical boundary violations between married and unmarried respondents, or between husbands and wives. The study concluded that physical boundary violations have a significant negative impact on family relationships in Anambra State. It therefore recommended the promotion of open communication and mutual respect within families, the provision of counselling services to address conflicts arising from boundary violations, and the implementation of awareness campaigns by government and non-governmental organisations on the causes and consequences of physical boundary violations.