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The number of adolescent marriages (under 18 years) in Indonesia is quite high when compared to other countries. According to data compiled by UNICEF, the UN agency engaged in child welfare, of all Indonesian women who have been married, 34% of them married as teenagers.
The large number of cases of adolescent marriage in Indonesia and other countries in Asia and Africa have attracted special attention from researchers. Maybe you have heard how teenage marriage is at risk of causing miscarriage, infant mortality, maternal death during childbirth, cervical cancer (cervix), and transmission of venereal diseases. Apart from these various health risks, adolescent marriage also has a negative impact on the mental health of both partners. The following are the psychological effects that may arise due to adolescent marriage.
Mental disorders
A recent study in the journal Pediatrics shows that teens who get married before turning 18 are more at risk of developing mental disorders. The risk of mental disorders among married couples (couples) is quite high, namely up to 41%. The psychiatric disorders reported in the study included depression, anxiety, dissociative disorders (multiple personalities), and psychological trauma such as PTSD.
Entering the household ark at a very young age was not an easy thing. A report from UNICEF stated that teenagers tend not to be able to manage their emotions and make decisions well. As a result, when faced with domestic conflicts, some teenage couples resorted to violence. This of course leads to mental disorders such as depression and PTSD. In addition, miscarriage or loss of children that often occurs in teenage couples can also cause mental disorders and trauma.
Because most cases of adolescent marriage occur in areas that do not yet provide access to mental health services, teenage couples who suffer from mental disorders cannot receive proper treatment. So, their psychological condition can get worse as they get older.
Addiction
Teenage marriage can also cause psychological problems in the form of addiction. Whether it's addiction to alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, or gambling. Addiction often occurs because many teenage couples cannot find healthy ways to vent their emotions or seek distraction when under stress.
Economic and household problems and the minimum level of education are often the reasons for teenage couples to switch to unhealthy lifestyles. In most cases, the addiction will persist until the teenage partner reaches adulthood. In fact, parents who have been addicted to harmful substances since young, such as alcohol, nicotine and drugs are at risk of causing disruption or disability to the fetus and death of the baby.
If the baby dies or is born with a disability, the teenage couple may become even more overwhelmed by the situation and become more dependent on the addiction. This has become a kind of vicious circle that will not end.
Social pressure
Close family, relatives, and society can become a burden for teenage couples. This is increasingly evident in countries that adhere to a communal living system. Young boys are required to be the head of the household and provide for their families, even though they are still very young. Meanwhile, young women are required to raise children and take care of the household, even though they are not psychologically ready to fully assume these responsibilities.
If a teenage couple is unable to meet these social demands, they may be ostracized or labeled as bad by local residents. As a result, it is increasingly difficult for teenage couples to get the help and support they need from those around them.
