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

摘要

Adolescence is a developmentally important phase in one’s life. However,restrictive gender attitudes that gain increased importance duringadolescence prevent many from reaching their health and developmentpotential. The objective of this study is to explore associations betweencaregiver gender attitudes and adolescent psychosocial health, schoolattendance, and food security in a sample living in the easternDemocratic Republic of Congo, a region that has experienced persistentpoverty and nearly thirty years of insecurity. A mixed methods designwas selected for this research. Quantitative results were combined withqualitative focus group discussion results to provide new insight intohow caregiver gender attitudes might influence adolescent health anddevelopment. Findings from the research suggest that more genderequitable caregiver attitudes are associated with fewer reports ofinternalising behaviour and greater food security in adolescent girls. Nosignificant associations were found between caregiver gender equalityattitudes and adolescent prosocial behaviour or school attendance.Focus group discussions supported some quantitative findings whilerefuting others. Participants suggested that adolescent girls withcaregivers who endorse more equitable gender attitudes experienceless psychological control and witness less conflict and violencebetween caregivers in their home.