Characteristics of Adolescents Requiring Forensic Assessment Regarding Early Marriage: A Descriptive Study on Clinical Diagnosis and Physical Aggression

Authors : Mahmut Almbaidheen, Bahadır Turan

Pages : 558-564

Doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1098283

View : 30 | Download : 14

Publication Date : 2022-10-01

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical, sociodemographic, and physical abuse-related factors of adolescents who are referred by the court to child and adolescent psychiatry clinics for early marriage. Methods: A total of 115 adolescent girls aged over 15 years were included in the study. Sociodemographic information was obtained with the information forms prepared by the interviewer. Participants were also subjected to psychometric evaluation by psychologists and social review by social workers. Results: Of these children with a mean education year of 5.41±1.7, 28.7% had a psychiatric diagnosis. The most frequently diagnosed psychiatric disorder was adjustment disorder (12.2%). There was a significant relationship between the duration of the marriage and the age difference between them and having a psychiatric diagnosis. Moreover, there is a significant difference between the age of the spouse and the age difference and physical abuse. Conclusion: To have comprehensive knowledge of the characteristics of adolescents who are married early can provide insight into the development of systems and policies that support the development of education, knowledge, and skills of these adolescents.
Keywords : Forensic Assessment, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Early Marriages