ABSTRACT

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the sociodemographic characteristics, results of mental state examinations and possible underlying causes of early marriages of children who referred by judicial authorities to undergo a full psychiatric examination by a child and adolescent mental health specialist.

Methods:

Sixty patients under 18 years of age who were referred to Adnan Menderes University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry between 15.07.2012-15.07.2017 by the judicial authorities for psychiatric evaluation were enrolled for the study. Sociodemographic characteristics and psychiatric diagnoses of the patients, according to DSM-5 criteria were examined.

Results:

Fifty-eight (96.7%) of the cases were female and 2 (3.3%) were male. Mean age of the patients was 16.36 ± 0.38 years. Mean age difference between the patients and the individuals to whom the children were arranged to be married to was 6.04 ± 3.40 years. It was found that 35% of all cases had been pregnant at the time of assessment. Except of intellectual disability, only 6,7% of the cases had an active psychopathology. It was determined that 35% of the cases had no mental disorder that prevented him/her from marrying. The percentage of those attending formal education was 18.3%. There was a statistically signifi cant difference between the groups with and without marriage permit between pregnancy (p = 0.007), sexual intercourse (p = 0.03) and history of escape from home (p = 0.05).

Discussion:

Marriage in adolescence is still an important problem for our country because of its association with many risks and undesirable conditions. Prevention or minimization of early age marriages can be ensured by correct and determined policies and legal regulations to be implemented. Increasing awareness in society about the negative consequences of adolescent marriages and ensuring that children remain in the education system may have an important role in preventing this situation.