Effects of housing design, familial tendencies and social distancing on family cohesion during COVID-19 lockdown in Lagos Metropolis

Abstract

Sadly, like the thief in the night, the pandemic called coronavirus (COVID 19) which started sweeping some parts of the western world like  the Harmattan fire right from 2019 seeped into the Nigerian sub consciousness even at a time when a certain world power called it  ‘’Chinavirus’’. Due to international and intercontinental travels, the number of victims of the contagion rose steadily and exponentially to  warrant a total lockdown worldwide. There is no disputing the vulnerability of the majority in the populace judging from the housing  structure, work-life and familial tendencies all of which may impact the practicability of social distancing and family cohesion which is the  focus of this study. The research design was a descriptive survey research. The Ikosi-Isheri LCDA of Lagos metropolis which is an  epicenter is the locale of the study. The multi-stage sampling technique was used to randomly select 68 married participants made up of  24 males and 44 females that were reachable due to the stay-at-home order. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to gather data  for the study. Results showed that there was a significant effect of housing design, familial tendencies and social distancing on family cohesion during covid-19 lockdown in Lagos Metropolis and social distancing contributed the most to the family cohesion. It was  recommended that couples especially intact couples should create time at least on weekends to create bonds that will promote family  cohesion after the lockdown .