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Prevalence of mental health problems in women in polygamous versus monogamous marriages: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

While some studies suggest different mental health outcomes among women in polygamous versus monogamous marriages, no published systematic review or meta-analysis has analyzed the relevant research literature. This article aims to review the evidence of marriage types (i.e., polygamous and monogamous marriages) and differences in the prevalence of mental health issues. Eleven electronic databases, along with further identified references lists, were searched. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. They included 3166 participants, and 986 women were in a polygamous marriage. All studies were rated for quality and were tested for publication bias. Meta-analyses were conducted on the five symptoms to assess for the effect of marriage type. The studies indicate a significant association of marriage type with psychological symptoms. The meta-analysis indicates that women in polygamous marriage had worsened mental health as compared with women in monogamous marriages. The weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were somatization 0.53, 0.44–0.63; obsession-compulsion 0.35, 0.14–0.56; interpersonal sensitivity 0.42, 0.12–0.73; depression 0.41, 0.15–0.67; anxiety 0.41, 0.15–0.68; hostility = 0.47, 0.28–0.66; phobic anxiety 0.39, 0.17–0.61; paranoid ideation 0.35, 0.24–0.47; psychoticism 0.41, 0.23, 0.59; and Global Severity Index (GSI) 0.43, 0.25–0.60. A higher self-esteem and life satisfaction among women in polygamous marriages and statistically superior family functioning among women in monogamous marriages were also found. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the marital satisfaction of women in polygamous versus monogamous marriages. Results are consistent with the existing research on the prevalence of mental health issues among women in polygamous marriages. Nonetheless, these women were found to have elevated self-esteem and life satisfaction than women in monogamous marriages. Directions for future research are indicated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zahedan Medical School, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

    Parisa Rahmanian

  2. Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia

    Khadeeja Munawar

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Firdaus Mukhtar

  4. Department of Psychology, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Fahad Riaz Choudhry

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  1. Parisa Rahmanian
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  2. Khadeeja Munawar
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  4. Fahad Riaz Choudhry
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Contributions

All authors (i.e., PR, FM, FRC, and KM) have contributed equally to this work. PR and FM conceived the idea of this paper; FM supervised the entire process and added important intellectual content. PR, FRC, and KM contributed substantially in the manuscript write-up. PR and KM formulated search strategy, carried out a search across databases, performed data extraction, and formulated themes. KM and FM checked the search strategy and extracted data and themes. FM, FRC, and KM assisted in reviewing and providing feedback for improvements. FRC and KM helped in performing the meta-analysis, revising the analysis, and checking and drafting of the results section. All authors have also agreed to be accountable for all aspects of this manuscript in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of this manuscript are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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Correspondence to Firdaus Mukhtar.

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Rahmanian, P., Munawar, K., Mukhtar, F. et al. Prevalence of mental health problems in women in polygamous versus monogamous marriages: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Womens Ment Health 24, 339–351 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-020-01070-8

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