Global Trends and Issues in Child Marriage Research: Bibliometrics and Content Analysis

Abstract

The practice of child marriage (CM) has become a significant global concern, severely impacting children’s well-being. This study employs bibliometric analysis and content analysis to identify global publication trends on CM and effectively address the research gaps in this field. The study used the Scopus database from 1994 to 2021. This research can be seen from the number of publications and citations that tend to increase. The United States, India, and the United Kingdom are the countries with the most influential authors, affiliates, articles, and publication performance. Compared with the three countries, not many authors from Asia have been published on the topic; however, some countries in Asia have more child marriages. This research review shows that articles on CM mainly discuss the drivers and impacts of CM and its intervention efforts. With traditional and cultural practice, health, and reproductive rights, CM is related to human rights and the effects of CM intergenerational relationships. This study suggests that future research focuses on (i) CM policies, (ii) the participation and agency of the child to reduce CM, and (iii) CM with refugees for humanitarian context as a matter of CM occurring.