Increased risk of child maltreatment and mental health problems among adolescents with restrictions regarding choice of future partner : Results from a Swedish school-based survey

• Background: Honour-related violence and oppression is a violation of human rights and a public health problem. Oppressioncan be manifested by not being allowed to choose future partners and can increase the risk of abuse and mental healthproblems.Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate associations between restrictions regarding choice of future partner(RCP), child maltreatment and mental health problems among adolescents in Sweden.Methods: The study was based oncross-sectional data, including a nationally representative sample of 4741 pupils from grade nine in primary school and secondyear in high school. Pearson’s chi-square tests and binary logistical regression analyses adjusting for socio-demographicfactors were conducted.Results: RCP was significantly associated to child maltreatment, including poly-victimisation, andmental health problems. In the adjusted analysis, an increased risk for all types of maltreatment, poly-victimisation (adjustedodds ratio (aOR) 10.2, confidence interval (CI) 5.6–18.4), self-harm (aOR 1.9, CI 1.1–3.2) and suicide attempt (aOR 2.4,CI 1.3–4.7) were shown in adolescents exposed to RCP compared to non-exposed.Conclusions: There is an increasedrisk of child maltreatment including poly-victimisation and mental health problems among adolescents exposedto RCP compared to non-exposed. The study emphasizes the matter as a public health problem requiringimmediate preventive measures to ensure the rights of children and adolescents.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Public Health

Environmental and Occupational Health

General Medicine

Honour-related violence and oppression

Restrictions regarding choice of future partner

Child maltreatment

Poly-victimisation

Mental health

Adolescents

Public Health Science

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)