Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early marriage is a public health problem with damaging ramifications for all affected, especially young women's well-being. It affects millions globally-with the majority living in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Amhara region of Ethiopia remains one of the hotspots of child marriage. METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional study design and used a mixed-method approach to collect data on age at first marriage, community values on marriage, and women's social capital and self-esteem. It drew on social capital and self-esteem theorists to construct a survey questionnaire, focus group discussion, and interview guides. It employed descriptive and inferential statistics and thematic analyses to explore empirical data. RESULTS: This study found no and weak statistically significant differences in global estimates of women's social capital and self-esteem due to their age at first marriage, respectively. However, women married ≥ 25 years measured better on social capital and self-esteem indicators, especially compared to those married between 15-17 years. Qualitative findings provided insights into potential confounding factors and grounded explanations of survey findings vis-à-vis existing literature on the psychosocial effects of early marriage on women. CONCLUSION: Global estimates of women's psychosocial well-being were not significantly associated with age at first marriage. FGDs and interviews indicated that the Amhara value and treat marriage primarily as a means for intergenerational continuity and family alliances. Marrying a woman early is desirable, ensures longer reproductive years, protects the purity of the paternal line, and grants girl-children improved social status and desirability. The authors recommend researchers design standard self-assessment survey tools, considering cultural and systemic contexts in collectivistic communities.