Dowry, Bride Price, Women's Mental Health and Wellbeing in Low and Middle-Income countries: A Scoping Review

Background: Both dowry and bride price are widely practised, but their association with women’s mental health and well-being is poorly understood (Makino, 2018; Koranteng and Mensah, 2024). Dowry has been linked to female infanticide, reduced educational opportunities for girls, fear and abuse (Makino, 2018; Lathabhavan et al.,2022). In contrast, bride price is often viewed as socially acceptable because it confers status to the couple’s relationship, yet it contributes to financial debt, borrowing, and significant economic strain on the groom’s family (Feng et al., 2025; Chen et al., 2024; Idris and Margeret,2023). However, there is a poor understanding of how the contrasting social meanings and economic consequences of dowry and bride price may shape women’s psychological and social outcomes. This scoping review aims to summarise existing literature on the association of dowry and bride price and women’s mental health and wellbeing in low- and middle-income countries. These insights may inform further research and intervention to support the mental health and wellbeing of girls and women. Methods: This scoping review will follow the Arksey and O’Malley Framework (Levac et al,2010). It will use a systematic approach to search multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and SCOPUS. Grey literature will also be included, searched through Google Scholar and Google. Studies using diverse methodologies across various disciplines focusing on low and middle-income countries (LMICS) where dowry and bride price are practised will be included, published between January 2000 and March 2026. Studies will be screened for eligibility by two reviewers, and any disagreements will be resolved by a third reviewer. A risk of bias assessment will be conducted by two reviewers using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be used to illustrate the selection process. Data will be extracted in Excel and will include women’s mental health outcomes; the impacts made on women’s wellbeing, and the factors influencing dowry and bride price. A narrative summary of key findings will identify associations between dowry, bride price and women’s mental health and wellbeing in LMICs.