Does Marriage Benefit Maternal Mental Health? New Evidence from Nairobi, Kenya.

This article examines the complex relationship between union formalization (UF)—the traditional and legal steps conferring legitimacy to marriage—and maternal mental health among mothers with young children in two low-income urban communities in Nairobi, Kenya. Drawing on longitudinal survey and qualitative data from the JAMO (Jamaa na Afya ya Mtoto) project, the study finds that more formalized unions are generally associated with better maternal mental health, primarily mediated by higher relationship satisfaction rather than kinship support. However, progress through later UF stages, such as bridewealth payment, can introduce new anxieties, potentially hindering mental health improvements. The findings highlight the importance of viewing marriage as a process involving both couple dynamics and kinship networks within contexts of economic precarity, suggesting that policies should focus on strengthening economic stability and social support rather than solely promoting formal marriage certification.