1
|
Mkhize M, van der Westhuizen C, Sorsdahl K. Prevalence and factors associated with depression and anxiety among young school-going adolescents in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Compr Psychiatry 2024; 131:152469. [PMID: 38461564 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Between 10 and 20% of children and adolescents globally experience common mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Given the dearth of mental health services in low- and middle-income countries, most mental health conditions among adolescents remain undiagnosed and untreated. In South Africa, few studies have explored the prevalence of depression and anxiety among young adolescents aged 10-14 years. This study examined the prevalence of, and factors associated with depression and anxiety among young school-going adolescents in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 schools in the Western Cape Province from February to July 2022. Data were collected using a tablet-based survey and included sociodemographic items, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A) and other psychosocial measures. The prevalence of depression and anxiety was estimated based on cut-off scores for the GAD-7 and PHQ-A. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations between sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, and depression and anxiety. RESULTS Of the 621 adolescents, 33.5% (n = 208) reported experiencing symptoms of depression and 20.9% (n = 130) symptoms of anxiety potentially indicative of a diagnosis. The results of the multivariable logistic regression model indicate that being in a higher grade in school (AOR = 1.65, CI:1.43-1.92), any lifetime alcohol use (AOR = 1.62, CI:1.04-2.64), other drug use (AOR = 2.07, CI:1.06-4.04), and witnessing violence among adults at home (AOR = 2.12, CI:1.07-1.41) were significantly associated with experiencing depressive symptoms. Being in a higher grade in school (AOR = 1.69, CI: 1.42-2.01), poor emotional regulation skills (AOR = 1.03, CI: 1.00-1.07), and the use of cannabis (AOR = 1.03, CI: 1.00-1.07) were significantly associated with experiencing anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION These findings add to our understanding of school-going adolescents' pressing mental health needs and suggest that mental health adolescent and caregiver interventions may be required to address mental health symptoms and associated risk factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirriam Mkhize
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Claire van der Westhuizen
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Katherine Sorsdahl
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lotzin A, Flechsenhar A, Garthus-Niegel S, Georg AK, Holl J, von Hülsen L, Kenntemich L, Kliem S, Kröger C, Mack JT, Mojahed A, Nunius S, Schröder J, Seitz K, von Thadden A, Volkert J, Zrnic Novakovic I, Lueger-Schuster B. [Domestic violence and its psychological consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic-key findings from German-speaking countries]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2023:10.1007/s00103-023-03747-8. [PMID: 37428206 PMCID: PMC10371903 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-023-03747-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The impact of traumatic experiences on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic has been insufficiently discussed in the German-speaking countries. Against this background, a working group of scientifically and clinically active colleagues was formed on behalf of the German-Speaking Society for Psychotraumatology (DeGPT). The aim of the working group was to summarize central research findings on the incidence of domestic violence and associated psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in German-speaking countries and to discuss their implications. In addition, associations between pre-existing childhood trauma and psychological distress during the pandemic should be illuminated. The present narrative review was prepared for this purpose.The results of the studies conducted indicate high prevalences of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, which, however, predominantly correspond to pre-pandemic prevalences. Adults with current or pre-existing interpersonal traumatic experiences during childhood or adolescence reported increased psychological distress during the pandemic compared with adults without such experiences. A number of risk factors (e.g., female gender, lower frequency of social contacts) increased the risk of psychological distress and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms during the pandemic. According to these findings, people with current or past interpersonal trauma exposure represent a vulnerable group with special support needs during pandemic contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annett Lotzin
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland.
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (ICPP), Department Psychologie, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Deutschland.
| | - Aleya Flechsenhar
- Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Deutschland
| | - Susan Garthus-Niegel
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (ICPP), Department Psychologie, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Deutschland
- Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits- und Sozialmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland
| | - Anna Katharina Georg
- Institut für Psychosoziale Prävention, Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - Julia Holl
- Institut für Psychosoziale Prävention, Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - Leonie von Hülsen
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Laura Kenntemich
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (ICPP), Department Psychologie, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Sören Kliem
- Fachbereich Sozialwesen, Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena, University of Applied Sciences, Jena, Deutschland
- Department of Welfare, Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena, University of Applied Sciences, Jena, Deutschland
| | - Christoph Kröger
- Abteilung Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Universität Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Deutschland
| | - Judith T Mack
- Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits- und Sozialmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland
| | - Amera Mojahed
- Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits- und Sozialmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland
| | | | - Johanna Schröder
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (ICPP), Department Psychologie, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Katja Seitz
- Klinik für Allgemeine Psychiatrie, Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - Alexandra von Thadden
- Abteilung Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Universität Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Deutschland
| | - Jana Volkert
- Fakultät Naturwissenschaften, MSB Medical School Hamburg, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Irina Zrnic Novakovic
- Institut für Klinische und Gesundheitspsychologie, Fakultät für Psychologie, Universität Wien, Wien, Österreich
| | - Brigitte Lueger-Schuster
- Institut für Klinische und Gesundheitspsychologie, Fakultät für Psychologie, Universität Wien, Wien, Österreich
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kidman R, Breton E, Behrman JR, Zulu A, Kohler HP. Longitudinal Associations Between Childhood Adversity and Adolescent Intimate Partner Violence in Malawi. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2023; 38:7335-7354. [PMID: 36695114 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221145720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)-including child maltreatment, witnessing violence, and household dysfunction-have been robustly associated with poor health in later life. There is also increasing evidence that those who experience childhood adversity are more likely subsequently to be victims or perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV). Most evidence, however, is cross-sectional and concentrated in high-income settings, and cannot be generalized to more diverse contexts. In contrast, this study assessed longitudinal relations between ACEs and IPV in a low-income country. We interviewed 1,878 adolescents in rural Malawi between 2017 and 2018 (aged 10-16) and again in 2021 (aged 13-20). Adolescents completed the Adverse Childhood Experience-International Questionnaire. Past-year physical, sexual, and emotional IPV victimization and perpetration were measured using the WHO's Violence Against Women Instrument. We estimated multivariate regression models between cumulative adversity (0-13 adversities) at baseline and IPV at follow-up among respondents who reported any romantic or sexual partnerships. The cumulative ACEs score was associated with emotional IPV victimization for boys (OR = 1.12 per ACE) and sexual IPV victimization for girls (OR = 1.18). The ACEs score demonstrated a significant association with perpetration for girls only (OR = 1.33 for emotional IPV). By using longitudinal data, we more rigorously demonstrated the critical role of childhood adversity in shaping later IPV behavior. There are ongoing efforts toward primary prevention of childhood adversity. Given the burden that adolescents already carry (six ACEs on average in our sample), we also need secondary interventions that can help interrupt the pathway from adversity to IPV. This calls for increased collaboration between those working to address violence against children and violence against women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Kidman
- Stony Brook University (State University of New York), USA
| | | | | | - Andrew Zulu
- Invest in Knowledge Initiative, Zomba, Malawi
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Thulin EJ, Zimmerman MA, Kusunoki Y, Kernsmith P, Smith-Darden J, Heinze JE. Electronic Teen Dating Violence Curves by Age. J Youth Adolesc 2022; 51:45-61. [PMID: 34647192 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-021-01517-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Electronic dating violence is a form of violence perpetrated through electronics between dating partners and is associated with worse mental health, greater risk of substance use, and increased risk of in-person forms of dating violence. Though prevalent and seeming to increase in occurrence across adolescence, little is known about trajectories of electronic dating violence throughout adolescence and both risk and protective factors predicting a given trajectory. Latent growth models were used to evaluate change over time in three specific domains of electronic dating violence: harassment, coercion, and monitoring. Data are drawn from two cohorts who were surveyed annually for four years (2013-2017) from age 12 to 15 (n = 543; 48.3% female) and 15 to 18 (n = 597, 46.6% female), respectively. For all three domains of electronic dating violence, a quadratic model fit best. In general, electronic dating violence increased from early adolescence until a peak around age 16 or 17, and then leveled off. Threat-based adverse childhood experiences (i.e., exposure to physical child abuse, parental intimate partner violence, etc.) and earlier engagement in dating behaviors increased long-term risk for both age cohorts. Protective factors such as parental monitoring decreased risk but seemed to only have protective influence at developmentally-specific periods (i.e., during the developmental period of early adolescence). A better understanding of the risk and protective factors that affect the increase of electronic dating violence during adolescence is necessary to develop effective age-appropriate prevention and intervention strategies for youth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elyse J Thulin
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Marc A Zimmerman
- University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 3702 SPH I, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Yasamin Kusunoki
- University of Michigan, School of Nursing, 400 North Ingalls Building, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Poco Kernsmith
- Wayne State University, School of Social Work, 5447 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Joanne Smith-Darden
- Michigan State University, School of Social Work, 655 Auditorium Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Justin E Heinze
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|