The Impact of Poverty on Family Stability in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South South Nigeria

Poverty exerts a profound and multidimensional influence on family structures, cohesion, and stability across Nigeria. This study examines the impact of poverty on family stability in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, focusing on low-income neighbourhoods such as Diobu, Rumuola, and Oroworukwo. A descriptive survey method is employed, with data gathered from 120 household heads and family units using structured questionnaires. Chi-square analysis and frequency distributions are applied in data interpretation. Findings indicate that economic hardship is strongly associated with increased rates of marital conflict, child neglect, school dropout, and mental health deterioration among family members. Respondents further report that poverty-induced stress creates environments where domestic violence becomes more prevalent, particularly in overcrowded households sharing limited resources. The study identifies inadequate social safety nets, unemployment, and lack of access to credit as structural enablers of persistent family poverty. Social workers operating within state welfare agencies are described as understaffed relative to the volume of cases requiring intervention. Recommendations include strengthening government-run social protection programmes, training social workers in poverty-sensitive family counselling, and expanding microfinance access for low-income women who are the primary caregivers in many households. This study adds locally grounded evidence to social work literature on poverty and family systems in Nigeria's Niger Delta region. Keywords: poverty, family stability, social protection, Port Harcourt, family counselling