The association between early marriage and mental disorder among young migrant and non-migrant women: a Norwegian register-based study.
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ABSTRACT: Background
Marriage is considered beneficial for mental health when stable and of high quality. Yet, it is unclear whether marriage is equally advantageous for everyone regardless of marital timing or migrant background. This study aimed to investigate the association between early marriage and mental disorder, defined by outpatient mental healthcare (OPMH) service use, and whether the association varies between migrant and non-migrant women.Methods
Using data from four Norwegian national registers, we applied discrete-time logistic regression analyses to study the aims of interest, among 602 473 young women aged 17-35 years. All women were followed from 2006 or the year they turned 17, and until first OPMH consultation, 2015 (study end), the year they turned 35, when emigrated, died, or changed marital status from married to separated, divorced, or widowed.Results
Results show that unmarried and early married women had increased odds of mental disorder when compared to on-time married women. However, the differences between the early and on-time married women were explained by differences in educational level. There was no significant interaction between marital status and migrant background.Conclusions
Differences in mental health between early- and on time married women are attributed to poorer educational attainment of women who marry early. Furthermore, migrant background seems to have a limited role in the association between marital timing and mental disorder. The promotion of formal education among young women could contribute to the accumulation of socioeconomic and psychosocial resources, thus, reducing the risk of mental disorder, also among early married women.
SUBMITTER: Hynek KA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9237981 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:IntroductionThe association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and mental health has been clearly established in the literature, however the differential associations between IPV type and mental health are less well understood, particularly in migrant groups who are at increased risk of both IPV and poor mental health. Under-studied and emerging forms of violence such as economic abuse and technology-facilitated abuse must be considered alongside more traditionally studied forms of IPV in order to fully understand the complex nature of violence. This study makes a novel contribution to the literature by assessing multiple forms of IPV including psychological, physical, sexual, economic and technology-facilitated IPV and their relationship with symptoms of depression and anxiety in migrant women, disaggregated by IPV type.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of migrant women living in the Valencian Community of Spain was conducted, to assess experiences of IPV and symptoms of mental health. Regression analysis from the Bayesian perspective was performed.Results1,998 women accessed the survey. They had an average age of 37, and came predominantly from Europe (49%), namely Western Europe, followed by Latin America (38%). The majority had been in Spain between 1 and 3 years, and 80% had resident status. A total of 1,156 responded to questions on violence and mental health. Results showed that the prevalence of IPV was high, with 59% of women reporting any experience of violence. Economic abuse was the most commonly reported form of violence, and showed the strongest relationship with symptoms of depression. Sexual violence was the strongest predictor of anxiety. In both cases, in the presence of violence, the odds of having more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety increases by over 2.25. Technology-facilitated abuse was as detrimental to women's mental health as face-to-face violence.DiscussionThe findings from the study are relevant to researchers, policy-makers and service providers. They highlight the complex nature of IPV experiences faced by migrant women and the importance of understanding how different types of IPV can impact migrant mental health, in order to ensure survivors receive adequate care.
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