A secondary analysis of 1,666 migrant and displaced Myanmar mothers on the Thailand–Myanmar border found that first birth at ages 12–19 or 20–24 was associated with more frequent self-reported physical maltreatment than first birth at age 25 or older. Directional associations with emotional maltreatment and positive parenting were not statistically significant. The study describes association rather than causation.
Key findings
- Compared with first birth at age 25 or older, first birth at ages 12–19 was associated with an IRR of 1.32 for physical maltreatment, 95% CI 1.11–1.58.
- First birth at ages 20–24 was associated with an IRR of 1.21, 95% CI 1.03–1.43.
- Emotional-maltreatment and positive-parenting estimates followed the expected direction but did not meet p
Why this matters globally
The study adds evidence from a migrant and displaced population and supports integrated reproductive health, young-parent support, mental-health, and child-protection services in border settings. It does not show that delaying first birth alone would reduce maltreatment.
Thai researcher contribution
Khaing Zar Lwin and Tawanchai Jirapramukpitak of Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research, together with Nway Nway Oo of Mae Tao Clinic, connected parenting research with the realities of Myanmar families living along the Thai border.
Limitations to consider
Single-time-point, self-reported outcomes are vulnerable to recall and social-desirability bias. Residual confounding may remain, the trial-enrolled border sample is not representative of all Thai or displaced mothers, and causal inference is not possible.