A comparative analysis of perceived social support among divorced and married women in kano, northern Nigeria: implications for mental health and marital stability.

Social support is essential for individual psychological well-being and marital stability. In the sociocultural milieu of Northern Nigeria, divorce markedly impacts women's access to social networks, thereby heightening susceptibility to mental health issues. The objective of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of perceived social support between divorced and married women in Kano, Northern Nigeria, and to examine its consequences for mental health and marital stability. A comparative cross-sectional study was performed with 150 divorced women sourced from the Association of Divorced and Widows (Kano State) and 150 age-matched married women from Sayyida Khadija Islamiyya School. Data were gathered utilizing a standardized socio-demographic questionnaire and the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSS-3). The psychiatric morbidity of divorced women was evaluated and examined with their levels of social support. Statistical analyses were conducted utilizing SPSS version 23. A significant proportion of divorced women (74.0%) indicated inadequate social support, in contrast to their married counterparts who had superior support. Divorced participants with poor social support were significantly more likely to have a psychiatric diagnosis (p < .001), with an odds ratio of 8.7 (95% CI: 2.8–184.4), while those with moderate support had an odds ratio of 2.6 (95% CI: 1.1–6.1). Socio-demographic factors, including age at first marriage, educational attainment, and sexual satisfaction, were substantially correlated with marital status. The study indicates a substantial connection between poor perceived social support and psychiatric illness among divorced women in Kano. These findings underline the importance of enhancing social support systems as a protective factor for mental health and as a strategy to increase marital stability. Policy makers, mental health experts, and social workers should incorporate social support interventions in divorce prevention and post-divorce rehabilitation initiatives in Northern Nigeria.