Escaping social rejection, gaining total capital: the complex psychological experience of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) among the Izzi in Southeast Nigeria
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Authors
Omigbodun, Olayinka
Bella-Awusah, Tolulope
Emma-Echiegu, Nkechi
Abdulmalik, Jibril
Omigbodun, Akinyinka
Doucet, Marie-Hélène
Groleau, Danielle
Issue Date
2022-02-14
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
FGM/C , Psychological Experience , Nigeria , Global Mental Health , Power , Capital , Habitus , Adolescents , McGill Illness Narrative Interview Schedule (MINI)
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background:
While the deleterious effects of FGM/C on physical health are well documented, the psychological experience of this harmful practice is a neglected area of research, which limits global mental health actions. As FGM/C was a traditional practice in some areas of Nigeria, the study aimed to understand the psychological experience of FGM/C in context.
Methods:
This qualitative study was completed in urban and rural Izzi communities in Southeast Nigeria where FGM/C was widely practiced. In-depth interviews were completed with 38 women of the same ethnicity using the McGill Illness Narrative Interview (MINI) to explore the collective psychological experience of FGM/C before, during and after the procedure. The MINI was successfully adapted to explore the meaning and experience of FGM/C. We completed thematic content analysis and used the concepts of total capital and habitus by Bourdieu to interpret the data.
Results:
During the period of adolescence, Izzi young women who had not yet undergone FGM/C reported retrospectively being subjected to intense stigma, humiliation and rejection by their cut peers. Alongside the social benefits from FGM/C the ongoing psychological suffering led many to accept or request to be cut, to end their psychological torture. Virtually all women reported symptoms of severe distress before, during and after the procedure. Some expressed the emotion of relief from knowing their psychological torture would end and that they would gain social acceptance and total capital from being cut. Newly cut young women also expressed that they looked forward to harassing and stigmatizing uncut ones, therein engaging in a complex habitus that underscores their severe trauma as well as their newly acquired enhanced social status.
Conclusion:
FGM/C is profoundly embedded in the local culture, prevention strategies need to involve the whole community to develop preventive pathways in a participatory way that empowers girls and women while preventing the deleterious psychological effects of FGM/C and corresponding stigma. Results suggest the need to provide psychological support for girls and women of practicing Izzi communities of Southeast Nigeria.
Description
Citation
Omigbodun, O., Bella-Awusah, T., Emma-Echiegu, N., Abdulmalik, J., Omigbodun, A., Doucet, M. H., & Groleau, D. (2022). Escaping social rejection, gaining total capital: the complex psychological experience of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) among the Izzi in Southeast Nigeria. Échapper au rejet social, gagner un capital total: l'expérience psychologique complexe de la mutilation génitale féminine/excision (MGF/E) chez les Izzi dans le sud-est du Nigeria Escapar del rechazo social, ganar un capital total: La compleja experiencia psicológica de la mutilación/ablación genital femenina (MGF) entre los Izzi del sureste de Nigeria Escapando da rejeição social, ganhando capital total: A complexa experiência psicológica de mutilação genital feminina (MGF) entre os Izzi no sudeste da Nigéria. Reproductive health, 19(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01348-3
Publisher
Reproductive Health