Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marina Plesons, Ellen Travers, Anju Malhotra, Arwyn Finnie, Nankali Maksud, Satvika Chalasani, Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli
Summary: An expert group meeting was convened in 2019 to review progress, identify updated research priorities, and discuss ways to support research coordination, translation, and uptake in the field of child marriage. This article provides a summary of the progress made since 2015 and outlines research gaps in key areas, highlighting calls-to-action for research coordination and knowledge translation.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dagmawit Tewahido, Alemayehu Worku, Amare W. Tadesse, Hanna Gulema, Yemane Berhane
Summary: This qualitative study explores the social norms surrounding adolescent girls' marriage practices in the West Hararghe region of Ethiopia. The study finds that social norms strongly encourage early marriage and are perpetuated by peers and influential adults. It highlights the importance of girls' determination to continue education, good school performance, and supportive teachers in circumventing social norms on early marriage.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
M. Mofizul Islam, Md Nuruzzaman Khan, Md Mashiur Rahman
Summary: The study highlights the prevalence of child marriage and low contraceptive use among Rohingya girls in refugee camps. Factors influencing child marriage include perceptions of marriage, social norms, and family honor, while factors influencing contraceptive use include misconceptions about contraception and service provision. Engaging Rohingya volunteers could catalyze efforts to promote contraceptive use in the community.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, Mukesh Ravi Raushan
Summary: This study examines the impact of consent in marriage decisions on married life in India. It finds that self-arranged marriages lead to more positive outcomes, such as greater agency, egalitarian gender attitudes, spousal communication, and contraceptive use. In contrast, family-arranged marriages are associated with poorer performance in these areas. However, no association is found between marriage arrangements and marital violence outcomes.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Lina Mrayan, Salwa Obeisat
Summary: The study shows that early marriage has brought many negative impacts to females, including feelings of regret, loss of authority, pressure, and health consequences. Early marriage violates women's rights and deprives them of their childhood and various life choices.
Article
Development Studies
Silvia Guglielmi, Khadija Mitu, Jennifer Seager
Summary: The research highlights that child marriage among Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, is mainly driven by economic strain and entrenched gender norms. Married girls face increased risks of gender-based violence and mental distress, while being excluded from social participation. Involving married girls in community activities and vocational training tailored to local market needs may empower them.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Anita Raj, Nicole E. Johns, Nandita Bhan, Jay G. Silverman, Rebecka Lundgren
Summary: The study found associations between gender role beliefs and social connection, digital connection, and safety from marital violence among married adolescent girls in India. Beliefs supporting female marital choice and economic decision-making were linked to social and digital connection, while beliefs supporting male childcare responsibility were associated with freedom of movement. Beliefs rejecting marital violence were connected to safety from marital violence.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jannatul Ferdous Antu, Kausar Parvin, Hasan Mahmud Sujan, Mahfuz Al Mamun, Ruchira Tabassum Naved
Summary: This study explores the impact of migration on the age at marriage and child marriage among adolescent girls living in urban slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The findings suggest that migration has a positive effect on delaying marriage and reducing child marriage among adolescent girls.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Christina Misunas, Annabel Erulkar, Louis Apicella, Thoai Ngo, Stephanie Psaki
Summary: This study explores the factors influencing child marriage among girls at individual, household, and community levels. The findings suggest that the weight of influencing factors and their importance vary by context. Parental relationships were influential at the household level, while community influence varied considerably between countries. In Burkina Faso, factors such as schooling and alternative pathways for girls beyond marriage were crucial in reducing child marriage.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Momoe Makino, Thoai D. Ngo, Stephanie Psaki, Sajeda Amin, Karen Austrian
Summary: Despite various programs aimed at delaying girls' marriage and pregnancy in the past 20 years, there is still no consensus on the effectiveness of different approaches. This study focuses on the impact of interventions in different social contexts in Bangladesh and Zambia, where factors such as literacy, poverty, and community characteristics play a role in determining the effectiveness of the interventions. The results show that the effectiveness of interventions varies depending on the specific social context, such as girls' paid-work participation rate, prevalence of premarital sex, and decision-making processes regarding marriage in the communities.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Malakeh Z. Malak, Rasmieh M. Al-amer, Anas H. Khalifeh, Shirooq M. Jacoub
Summary: The study found that a significant proportion of teenage married girls in Palestinian refugee camps experienced moderate to extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, with significant relationships between the mental health symptoms and participant age, parent's educational level, and exposure to previous trauma. The results emphasize the need for psychological support for girls affected by teenage marriage.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Family Studies
Michelle Lokot, Munshi Sulaiman, Amiya Bhatia, Nour Horanieh, Beniamino Cislaghi
Summary: The concept of child 'agency' is increasingly important for international organizations, NGOs, and UN agencies addressing child marriage. Different stakeholders have varied definitions of agency, with academics highlighting its contested nature while NGOs and UN tend to narrow their framing. Adopting a broader definition of child agency can lead to a more nuanced understanding of the drivers of child marriage and the necessary interventions.
CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Diana Pacheco-Montoya, Erin Murphy-Graham, Enrique Eduardo Valencia Lopez, Alison K. Cohen
Summary: This study investigates the link between marianismo, girls' mobility and sexuality, and child marriage among adolescent girls in rural areas of Honduras. Findings suggest that traditional gender norms play a role in early marriage decisions, and girls experience control over their mobility and sexuality due to these rigid norms. Educational initiatives challenging sexist gender norms and promoting understanding of attraction and intimacy during adolescence are crucial in preventing child marriage.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Eunice Muthengi, Laura Muthoni, Karen Austrian
Summary: The purpose of this study is to understand the factors and stability of cohabiting and formal child marriage unions among adolescent girls. The results highlight that informal unions are more likely to end in separation compared to formal marriages, and having both families' approval is associated with a lower likelihood of cohabiting. These differences should be considered when addressing early marriage in research and programs.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Janna Metzler, Aisha Hutchinson, Katrina Kiss
Summary: Globally, over 12 million girls under 18 are forced to marry annually. Progress in ending child marriage in the Arab region is slowing down and risks being reversed due to increasing populations affected by conflict and widespread economic crisis. This paper aims to identify research priorities in the region to guide effective and accelerated child marriage prevention and response programs. Through an online Delphi consultation, 73 specialists in the Arab region identified 50 research gaps across 7 main areas. Consensus was reached on the need for evidence to support program development and further research on specific drivers and consequences of child marriage. The results provide the foundation for a child marriage research agenda in the Arab region that considers regional distinctiveness and builds on global momentum for child marriage research.
SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH MATTERS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Sangeeta Chatterji, Nicole Johns, Mohan Ghule, Shahina Begum, Sarah Averbach, Madhusudan Battala, Anita Raj
Summary: This study examines the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and marital quality among young married couples in rural India. The findings suggest that women's experience of physical and sexual IPV is associated with poor marital quality, and women's experience of sexual IPV is negatively associated with men's self-reported marital quality. Additionally, women's report of poor marital quality is associated with their future experience of violence.
JOURNAL OF FAMILY VIOLENCE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jay G. Silverman, Sabrina C. Boyce, Ruvani W. Fonseka, Daniel Triplett, Laura F. Chiang, Sharon S. Caslin, Anita Raj
Summary: This study analyzed data from Haitian adolescents and young adults, finding that those who experienced childhood sexual abuse were more likely to be victims of commercial sexual exploitation, with the highest risk among those who experienced abuse at a younger age.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INJURY CONTROL AND SAFETY PROMOTION
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Holly Baker Shakya, Beniamino Cislaghi, Paul Fleming, Ruti G. Levtov, Sabrina C. Boyce, Anita Raj, Jay G. Silverman
Summary: The attitudes of both men and women towards intimate partner violence (IPV) are predictive of women's experience of IPV, although the relationship can vary by context. Social norms also play a role in perpetration and reporting of IPV, with community beliefs and gender norms influencing individuals' behaviors.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nabamallika Dehingia, Anvita Dixit, Karen Heskett, Anita Raj
Summary: This study summarizes the best evidence measures of collective efficacy for women and girls from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The results show that collective efficacy has a positive impact on women's well-being. The study also highlights the lack of a standard measure in this field.
Review
Criminology & Penology
Jeffrey J. Milroy, Katie Hanna, Tori VandeLinde, David S. Lee, Keith L. Kaufman, Anita Raj, Kathryn M. Barker, Miranda Sitney, Aliza Lipman, Alyssa Maryn, Jason Kyler-Yano
Summary: This review aimed to examine sexual violence prevention efforts in the context of sport and provide recommendations for future practice. The study found a lack of multi-level prevention strategies, minimal programming targeting children, a need for policy-level action, and a shortage of peer-reviewed literature in this area.
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Criminology & Penology
Keith L. Kaufman, David S. Lee, Jeffrey J. Milroy, Anita Raj
Summary: This Special Issue focuses on the prevention of sexual violence in sport and emphasizes the role of theory in addressing this issue. It identifies gaps in the literature and showcases cutting-edge research on sexual violence prevention. The importance of incorporating a socioecological framework and policy structures in preventing sexual violence in sport is demonstrated. The Special Issue aims to encourage the development and study of empirically based approaches to enhance athlete safety and well-being.
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
(2022)
Article
Criminology & Penology
Kathryn M. Barker, Anita Raj
Summary: This study investigates the impact of sport engagement and alcohol use during adolescence on perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) in young adulthood. The study found that participation in football and alcohol use during adolescence were associated with higher odds of IPV perpetration in young adulthood for both males and females. However, engagement in other sports and school activities appeared to serve as protective factors. These findings highlight the importance of positive social environments and networks, including sports, in preventing IPV.
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
(2022)
Article
Criminology & Penology
Wendy Wei Cheung, Anita Caduff, Anita Raj
Summary: Student absenteeism has negative effects on student engagement, academic success, and professional success. This study found a significant association between adolescent dating violence (ADV) victimization and student absenteeism due to feeling unsafe. The association is stronger for males compared to females. Additionally, black, Latinx, and queer students have higher odds of student absenteeism due to feeling unsafe compared to white and heterosexual students. The findings highlight the importance of addressing ADV victimization and student absenteeism with integrated and gender-tailored responses, considering the vulnerabilities of queer students and students of color.
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
(2023)
Article
Family Studies
Anvita Dixit, Nicole E. Johns, Mohan Ghule, Madhusudana Battala, Shahina Begum, Niranjan Saggurti, Jay Silverman, Elizabeth Reed, Susan M. Kiene, Tarik Benmarhnia, Sarah Averbach, Anita Raj
Summary: Traditional marital practices in India may compromise women's agency and contraceptive behaviors in marriage. This study found that wives who were the primary decision-makers on partner choice and timing of marriage had higher odds of engaging in communication about contraception and using modern contraceptives with their husbands.
CULTURE HEALTH & SEXUALITY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sarah Averbach, Nicole E. Johns, Mohan Ghule, Anvita Dixit, Shahina Begum, Madhusudana Battala, Niranjan Saggurti, Jay Silverman, Anita Raj
Summary: The CHARM2 intervention improved the perceived quality of care reported by participants and this improvement mediated the effect of the intervention on contraceptive use.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anita Raj, Sangeeta Chatterji, Nicole E. Johns, Jennifer Yore, Arnab K. Dey, David R. Williams
Summary: Research found that there is a lack of research on discrimination and risks for violence and mental health issues during the pandemic. The study examined the effects of everyday discrimination and major experiences of race-based discrimination on violence and mental health symptoms. The results showed that everyday discrimination, particularly race-based discrimination, was associated with a higher risk of violence and poor mental health outcomes.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ajit Kumar Kannaujiya, Kaushalendra Kumar, Lotus McDougal, Ashish Kumar Upadhyay, Anita Raj, K. S. James, Abhishek Singh
Summary: This study examines the associations between interpregnancy interval (IPI) and child health outcomes in India using nationally representative data. The results indicate that IPIs shorter than 12 months are associated with higher odds of diarrhea and/or acute respiratory infections, stunting, and underweight among children under 5 in India.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Economics
Nabamallika Dehingia, Jeni Klugman, Elena Ortiz, Anita Raj
Summary: This study finds that women across racial/ethnic groups and minority men have more egalitarian views on the importance of gender equality in policy and politics compared to White men. While there is general support for women in political leadership, the race/ethnicity by sex differences in attitudes related to gender equality in employment are larger.
FEMINIST ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lotus McDougal, Nabamallika Dehingia, Wendy Wei Cheung, Anvita Dixit, Anita Raj
Summary: This study examines the association between COVID-19 burden, LMIC-based authorship, and academic publications related to COVID-19 and women's well-being in low- and middle-income countries. The findings show that COVID-19 cases and case fatality ratios are positively associated with the number of publications in this area, particularly in upper-middle-income countries. Additionally, LMIC-based authors have a significant role in these publications.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Modupe Taiwo, Oluwatoyin Oyekenu, Ferdinard Ekeh, Arnab K. Dey, Anita Raj
Summary: This study examined the gender differences in healthcare workers' work attendance and household burdens in Northern Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings showed that female healthcare workers had to deal with the dual burden of formal and informal care work, resulting in lower attendance, while males were more likely to experience overwork.
