Title: Women's Infidelity, Paternity Uncertainty, and Family Betrayal: A Case Study from Uganda
Authors: Dr. Arinaitwe Julius, Dr. Ariyo Gracious Kazaara
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
Pages: 315-321
Publication Date: 2025/11/28
Abstract:
This quantitative study examined women's infidelity, paternity uncertainty, and family betrayal in Uganda, investigating contributing factors, psychological impacts, and effectiveness of coping mechanisms. A cross-sectional survey design was employed with 422 participants (250 men, 172 women) from urban and peri-urban areas of Central Region, Uganda, selected through stratified random and purposive sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaires incorporating validated psychological scales (DASS-21, IES-R) and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 with descriptive and inferential statistics including chi-square tests, t-tests, correlation analysis, and multiple regression. Results revealed that socio-economic factors, particularly women's economic dependency (M=3.92, SD=1.04) and financial stress (M=3.79, SD=1.11), were the primary contributors to infidelity and paternity uncertainty. Betrayed partners exhibited significantly higher psychological distress than children across all measures, including depression (t=6.82, p<0.001), anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress symptoms, with trust in relationships being most severely impaired. Professional counseling emerged as the most effective support system for promoting emotional recovery (M=3.82, SD=0.89) and relationship maintenance (59.8%), while family-based support, despite widespread utilization (70.6%), did not significantly predict recovery outcomes (?=0.048, p=0.318). The study concluded that paternity uncertainty constituted a severe traumatic event with profound psychological consequences requiring specialized professional intervention, and that structural economic vulnerabilities were fundamental drivers of infidelity patterns. Recommendations included establishing specialized counseling services, implementing women's economic empowerment programs, and developing structured peer support networks to address this critical social and public health issue in Uganda.