Abstract:
The study investigated attitude towards bride price, educational status and socioeconomic status (SES) as factors determining self-esteem among Igbo women in Enugu State. A total of 300 Igbo women drawn from Enugu-North Senatorial zone (150 women) and Enugu- East Senatorial zone (150 women) of Enugu State participated in the study. The participants were drawn using accidental sampling technique. Condition for participation was based on marital status. All traditionally married participated in the study. The age of the participants ranged from 18 years and above. Two instruments were used for the study. One of the instruments was a 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965) and a 14-item Bride Price Attitude Scale (Onyeizugbo and Ugwuegede, 2014). Three hypotheses were stated and tested. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that attitude towards bride price as a factor determining self-esteem was significant (β = -.233, t = -4.001, p < 0.05), while educational status and SES as factors determining self-esteem were not significant. In conclusion, attitude towards bride price was a determinant factor while educational status and SES were not determinant factors of self-esteem among Igbo women in Enugu State. Implications and limitations of the study were stated; and recommendations were made based on the findings.
