Economic Abuse in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review.

Abstract

Economic abuse (EA) comprises behaviors that impact an individual's ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources, threatening their financial security and well-being. While research on EA has increased in the last two decades, most studies have been conducted in high-income countries with little evidence on how EA manifests in different sociocultural contexts. This mixed-methods scoping review provides an overview of the state of knowledge on EA among adults in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), focusing on the conceptualization and measurement of EA, including culturally specific forms of EA, and outlining risk factors and consequences of EA to guide future research, policy, and program development. We searched for eligible studies in the ProQuest Social Science Collection, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Medline and identified 30 studies across 20 LMICs published in English up to May 2024. Culturally specific forms of EA in LMICs that emerged from this review included refusal to contribute financial resources, restricting access to shared housing, bride price and dowry-related tactics, and exploitation of women's labor. Findings also highlighted the role of sociocultural norms in shaping the kinds of EA women faced. Gendered norms around women's and men's economic roles, including customary marriage practices and patrilocality, emerged as the main risk factors. Several studies found linkages between EA and poor mental and physical health and financial hardship. EA also often co-occurred with other forms of abuse. Studies highlighted the need for gender-egalitarian legislation, increasing awareness of EA, survivors' knowledge of financial practices, culturally sensitive interventions, and longitudinal research.