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Byansi W, Galvin M, Chiwaye L, Luvuno Z, Kim AW, Sundararajan R, Tsai AC, Moolla A. Adverse childhood experiences, traumatic events, and mental health among adults at two outpatient psychiatric facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa: a cross-sectional analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:581. [PMID: 37563695 PMCID: PMC10413614 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05085-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences and adult trauma, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and interpersonal violence, are highly prevalent in low-resource settings and associated with adverse psychological outcomes. However, there is limited focus on the impact of ACEs and trauma on mental health in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study examines the impact of traumatic events and ACEs on depression, anxiety, and stress scores among outpatients receiving psychiatric care at two public mental health treatment facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa. METHODS A sample of 309 participants were recruited between January and June 2022 at Helen Joseph Hospital and Alexandra 18th Avenue Clinic. Participants completed screening measures for mental health outcomes, including the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the 7-item General Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. We fitted modified Poisson and linear regression models to estimate the impact of ACEs and adult experiences of trauma on depression, anxiety, and stress scale scores. RESULTS 47.57% (n = 147) of participants screened positive for anxiety, 44.66% (n = 138) for depression, and 17% (n = 54) for severe stress. More females screened positive for anxiety (65.31%), depression (65.94%), and stress (77.78%). Each ACE was associated with a 12% increased risk of depression, a 10% increased risk of anxiety, and a 17% increased risk of stress. In separately estimated models, each additional traumatic event during adulthood was associated with a 16% increased risk for depression, an 8% increased risk of anxiety, and a 26% increased risk of stress. Across all models, being male and self-reported physical health were consistently associated with a reduced risk for depression, anxiety, and stress. CONCLUSIONS ACEs and experiences of traumatic events as adults were associated with significantly increased risks of anxiety, depression, and severe stress. Given high exposure to ACEs and trauma and the associated impact on the mental health of individuals, families, and communities, there is a need to strengthen and scale innovative combination interventions that address multiple stressors impacting people in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Byansi
- School of Social Work, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA.
| | - Michael Galvin
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, USA
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lesley Chiwaye
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Zoleka Luvuno
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Andrew W Kim
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley, United States
| | - Radhika Sundararajan
- Weill Cornell Center for Global Health, New York City, New York, United States
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, United States
| | - Alexander C Tsai
- Center for Global Health and Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aneesa Moolla
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Bitsoih J, Patock-Peckham JA, Canning JR, Ong A, Becerra A, Broussard M. Do Coping Motives and Perceived Impaired Control Mediate the Indirect Links from Childhood Trauma Facets to Alcohol-Related Problems? Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:197. [PMID: 36975222 PMCID: PMC10044871 DOI: 10.3390/bs13030197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Self-Medication Hypothesis suggests that individuals drink to alleviate undesirable affective states. Behavioral Economics Theory states that individuals deprived of resources (i.e., physically neglected) consume more reinforcing substances when they are available than others. Childhood trauma may indirectly increase impaired control over alcohol (IC; drinking beyond one's own intentions) and thereby increase alcohol use and problems through the employment of coping-motives. METHOD A structural equation model that included sex as a covariate examined mediated paths with 612 university students. RESULTS Men were less likely to be emotionally abused and were more likely to use greater amounts of alcohol than women did. Physical neglect was directly linked to both more IC and alcohol use. Emotional and sexual abuse were directly linked to more coping motives. Both emotional and sexual abuse were indirectly linked to more alcohol use and its related problems through increased coping motives and IC. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with Behavioral Economics Theory, there was a direct link between physical neglect and IC. We also found partial support for the Self-Medication Hypothesis regarding the emotional and sexual abuse trauma dimensions; they indirectly contributed to alcohol use and its related problems via the mediating mechanisms of more coping motives and IC. Our findings suggest coping motives could be a therapeutic target for intervention among those sexually or emotionally abused.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jai Bitsoih
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, USA
| | | | - Jessica R. Canning
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-1525, USA
| | - Annie Ong
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, USA
| | - Allison Becerra
- Department of Counseling, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Matthew Broussard
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, USA
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Counts CJ, John-Henderson NA. Childhood trauma and college student health: a review of the literature. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-15. [PMID: 36595473 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2130336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The experience of childhood trauma is known to predict health-relevant outcomes across the lifespan. Previous reviews summarize existing knowledge of the implications of childhood trauma for health in young adults and adults more generally. The current theoretical review aims to integrate the existing literature on the relationship between childhood trauma and health-relevant outcomes specifically in college students, consolidating findings across specific health domains. Further, the following theoretical review highlights the need for more research in this area and discusses how college campuses may use the knowledge in this area of work to develop targeted interventions aimed at improving the health of college students who experienced trauma in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory J Counts
- Department of Psychology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
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van Wyk M, Mason HD, van Wyk BJ, Phillips TK, van der Walt PE. The relationship between resilience and student success among a sample of South African engineering students. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2022.2057660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mariza van Wyk
- Department of Psychology University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Division, Neurozone Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Henry D Mason
- Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Tyler K. Phillips
- Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
- University of Ulster: Ulster University, UK
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Davies E, Read J, Shevlin M. The impact of adverse childhood experiences and recent life events on anxiety and quality of life in university students. HIGHER EDUCATION 2022; 84:211-224. [PMID: 34866649 PMCID: PMC8632728 DOI: 10.1007/s10734-021-00774-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been repeatedly associated with a wide range of physical and mental health issues. Research has indicated high levels of anxiety and depression among university students, and a few studies have documented the relationship between ACEs and anxiety in the university student population. This study surveyed first year students at a university located in the most ethnically diverse district in England, with the second highest poverty rate. Eight hundred and fifty-eight responded; a response rate of 12%. The survey included questions about adverse childhood events, recent life stressors, current deprivation, quality of life, positive physical health and positive mental health, and used the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, a standardised measure. Thirty-seven percent of the responding students met the diagnosis for generalised anxiety disorder. In a multivariate multiple regression model, life stressors and childhood adversities were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety and lower levels of physical and mental health. Only childhood adversities significantly predicted lower levels of quality of life. The findings highlight the importance of considering adverse childhood experiences in enhancing the wellbeing of the student population. Given the demographics of the student population at the University of East London, the high rates of ACEs and anxiety are likely to partially reflect poverty and racism. The implications of the findings for trauma-informed policies and practices in universities are discussed. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10734-021-00774-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Davies
- School of Business and Law, University of East London, Water Lane, London, E15 4LZ UK
| | - John Read
- School of Psychology, University of East London, Water Lane, London, E15 4LZ UK
| | - Mark Shevlin
- School of Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road, Corelaine, Co., Londonderry, BT52 1SA UK
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Davies E, Read J, Shevlin M. Childhood adversities among students at an English University: A latent class analysis. J Trauma Dissociation 2022; 23:79-96. [PMID: 34641772 DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2021.1987373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
University students routinely participate in research, including research on trauma and adversity, but the unique implications of trauma and adversity for educational and developmental outcomes for this group have received less attention. This study surveyed first year undergraduate students at an urban university located in the most ethnically diverse district in England, with the second highest poverty rate. Of 7,110 students, 858 responded; a response rate of 12%. The survey included thirteen questions about adverse events and circumstances before age 18. Four in five students (79%) reported at least one adversity, 51% reported three or more, and 20% reported at least six. Female students reported a higher mean number of adversities than men, but men were significantly more likely to report having been "attacked, stabbed, shot or robbed by threat." Where comparisons were possible, rates were higher than for the general population or for the only other UK university survey. A Latent Class Analysis produced four groupings. Besides the 'No adversity' (36%) and "Intermediate" (46%) classes, there were two "High adversity" groups, differentiated by high (12%) or moderate (6%) adversities related to cohabitation (parental separation, lived with depressed person, lived with alcohol/drug user, and lived with incarcerated person). Higher rates of adversities, and latent class membership, were related to predictions that one would not complete one's degree. Implications and next steps are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Davies
- School of Business and Law, University of East London, London, UK
| | - John Read
- School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK
| | - Mark Shevlin
- School of Psychology, Ulster University, Derry, UK
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