Exploring caregivers’ gender attitudes’ influence on adolescent health in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: A mixed methods study

ABSTRACT

Adolescence is a developmentally important phase in one’s life. However, restrictive gender attitudes that gain increased importance during adolescence prevent many from reaching their health and development potential. The objective of this study is to explore associations between caregiver gender attitudes and adolescent psychosocial health, school attendance, and food security in a sample living in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region that has experienced persistent poverty and nearly thirty years of insecurity. A mixed methods design was selected for this research. Quantitative results were combined with qualitative focus group discussion results to provide new insight into how caregiver gender attitudes might influence adolescent health and development. Findings from the research suggest that more gender equitable caregiver attitudes are associated with fewer reports of internalising behaviour and greater food security in adolescent girls. No significant associations were found between caregiver gender equality attitudes and adolescent prosocial behaviour or school attendance. Focus group discussions supported some quantitative findings while refuting others. Participants suggested that adolescent girls with caregivers who endorse more equitable gender attitudes experience less psychological control and witness less conflict and violence between caregivers in their home.

KEYWORDS:

• Gender
• adolescent health
• armed conflict
• sub-Saharan Africa
• social norms

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health [grant number 1F31HD102091-01], Sigma Honour Society [grant number 31143], and by Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.