A Systematic Review On The Impact Of Polygamy On Women’s Mental Health

Abstract

Aim: This systematic review examines prevalence studies on the mental wellbeing of women in polygynous relationships, analysing the consequences for future research and the practice of social work. It examines the relationship between polygamy and women's mental health, using empirical evidence to advocate for mental wellbeing in diverse cultural settings.

Methods: A search for scientific articles titled “A Systematic Review on The Impact of Polygamy on Women’s Mental Health” was carried out on the databases PubMed and Google Scholar. The search terms used were “polygamy”, “women's mental health”, and “psychological wellbeing”. Hence, the review assessed empirical studies examining polygamy's effects on women's mental health, encompassing depression, anxiety, self-esteem, marital satisfaction, and overall wellbeing. Additionally, it analysed theoretical frameworks and qualitative studies elucidating how polygamous marriages may impact women's mental health, considering marital dynamics, social support, gender roles, and cultural norms. The review deliberately excluded literature without original investigations, including abstracts, reviews, viewpoints, remarks, and editorials. In addition, the analysis excluded articles that used languages other than English.

Results: The research analysed in the review exhibits varying levels of methodological rigour, but they suggest a greater occurrence of mental health problems among women in polygynous relationships compared to those in monogamous marriages. The results consistently showed higher levels of somatization, depression, anxiety, anger, psychoticism, and mental problems among women in polygynous marriages. Furthermore, polygynous partnerships are associated with reduced life and marital fulfilment, difficulties in parenting, and diminished self-esteem.

Conclusion: The study's results highlight the increased vulnerability of polygamous women to psychological distress, emphasizing the urgent need for tailored interventions provided through primary healthcare centres. Additionally, culturally sensitive approaches are essential for enhancing mental wellbeing among these women.