Evaluation of Sociodemographic and Clinical Profiles of Adolescents Under-18 Years of Age Referred by the Judicial Authorities for Marriage License
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of adolescents referred to a university hospital by the judicial authority for determining whether any mental and physical impediments to marriage exist.
Materials and Methods: 70 adolescents who were consulted to child and adolescent psychiatry inquired by the judicial authorities if there was any impediment to marriage were included to study. Psychiatric examination of the adolescents was performed according to DSM 5. Data obtained from the study were examined retrospectively with the method of file scanning system
Results: Mostly (94.3%) female children with a mean age of 16.05 ± 0.2 years were included in the study. None of the children attended to school during the assessment. Most (89.5%) of the children were living in a family environment with a low socioeconomic level. The most frequently psychiatric diagnoses were; attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (%4.3, n=3), depressive disorder (%4.3, n=3), mental retardation (%2.8, n=2) and post-traumatic stress disorder (%1.4, n=1). 85.7% of the children decided to marry individuals they got acquainted from their immediate circle or from social media, while marriage of only 14.3% (n=10) of them were previously arranged by their families.
Conclusions: Socio-economic level, family characteristics and attending to school are important predisposing factors for early marriages. It was also considered that marriage at this age means an attempt for gaining an early autonomy. Encouraging to continue their formal education for the development of healthy autonomy will be an important factor to prevent early marriages.Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
October 23, 2019
Submission Date
July 16, 2019
Acceptance Date
September 10, 2019
Published in Issue
Year 2019 Volume: 11 Number: 3


