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Amene EW, Annor FB, Gilbert LK, McOwen J, Augusto A, Manuel P, N'gouanma Nobah MTV, Massetti GM. Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences in sub-Saharan Africa: A multicountry analysis of the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS). CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 150:106353. [PMID: 37482505 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse Childhood Experiences are traumatic events early in life and have been associated with significant negative health outcomes. OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of ACEs in five low- and middle-income sub-Saharan African countries. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Nationally representative data from the Cote d'Ivoire (2018), Kenya (2019), Lesotho (2018), Mozambique (2019), and Namibia (2019) Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) were used. Analyses were restricted to youth ages 18-24 years (n = 8766 females and 2732 males). METHODS VACS data were analyzed to generate sex-stratified weighted prevalence of individual ACEs (including sexual, physical, and emotional violence; witnessing interparental violence and violence in the community; and orphanhood) and aggregate ACEs (total ACEs; 0, 1-2, and 3 or more), for each country and combined. RESULTS The most common type of ACEs among both females and males was witnessing physical violence (males: 55.0 % [95 % CI: 51.1-58.8] and females: 37.2 % [95 % CI = 34.3-40.1]) followed by experiencing physical violence (males: 49.7 % [95 % CI = 45.5-53.9] and in females: 36.5 % [95 % CI = 33.8-39.2]). Prevalence of sexual violence was significantly higher in females than in males (16.0 % [95 % CI = 13.9-18.2] vs 8.3 % [95 % CI = 7.0-9.8]; p < 0.001). About 72 % of females and 82 % of males have experienced at least one form of ACE with 20 % of females and 24.2 % of males experiencing 3 or more ACEs. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that majority of the children in countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced multiple ACEs in their lifetime. Understanding the extent of the problem will help design early interventions to reduce childhood exposure to ACEs or mitigate against the harmful impact of ACEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ermias W Amene
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States.
| | - Francis B Annor
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States; United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, United States
| | - Leah K Gilbert
- United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, United States; Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Office of Safety, Security and Asset Management, Occupational Health Clinic, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jordan McOwen
- Epidemiology/Surveillance Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mozambique
| | | | - Pedro Manuel
- Epidemiology/Surveillance Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mozambique
| | | | - Greta M Massetti
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Perry Mohling EW, Recinos M, Kwiringira JN, Phung E, Olwit C, Swahn MH, Massetti G, Self-Brown S. Adverse childhood experiences, mental distress, self-harm and suicidality, and cumulative HIV risk by sex in Lesotho. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 150:106701. [PMID: 38402043 PMCID: PMC11238702 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been understudied in low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVES, PARTICIPANTS, SETTING We explored associations between mental distress, self-harm or suicidality, and HIV risk and individual and cumulative ACEs (sexual, emotional, and physical violence; witnessing community and interparental violence; orphanhood) among youth aged 13-24 in Lesotho. METHODS Multivariable logistic regressions stratified by sex using nationally representative 2018 Lesotho Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (nfemale = 7101; nmale = 1467) data. RESULTS Over 75 % of males and females experienced at least 1 ACE. Among males, physical and community violence were significantly associated with mental distress; orphan status and emotional violence was associated with self-harm/suicidality. Males who witnessed interparental violence had higher odds of disclosing 2 types and 3 or more types of HIV risk versus none. Among females, being a double orphan and having experienced sexual, emotional, physical, community, and interparental violence were significantly associated with mental distress and any self-harm/suicidality in both models. Females who experienced physical violence had higher odds of disclosing 3 or more risk types versus no risk. Statistically significant associations emerged between cumulative ACEs and mental distress, self-harm/suicidality, and higher levels of HIV risk for both males and females. CONCLUSIONS Differential patterns of associations between ACEs and mental health problems and HIV risk emerged by sex. Scalable, integrated individual and community efforts to prevent ACEs, provide mental health supports, and encourage safer sexual behaviors among those exposed are needed and could benefit youth in Lesotho.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth W Perry Mohling
- School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA; National SafeCare Training and Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Center for Research of Interpersonal Violence, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Manderley Recinos
- School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA; National SafeCare Training and Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Center for Research of Interpersonal Violence, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Erick Phung
- School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA; National SafeCare Training and Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Center for Research of Interpersonal Violence, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Connie Olwit
- School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA; National SafeCare Training and Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Center for Research of Interpersonal Violence, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Monica H Swahn
- WellStar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| | - Greta Massetti
- Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shannon Self-Brown
- School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA; National SafeCare Training and Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Center for Research of Interpersonal Violence, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Edgemon TG, Clay-Warner J, Kawashima T, Anarfi JK, Okech D. Violence Increases Psychological Distress Among Women Trafficking Survivors in Ghana. Violence Against Women 2024:10778012241231780. [PMID: 38332619 DOI: 10.1177/10778012241231780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Human trafficking is a crime that is often shaped by violence, particularly for women who are trafficked. Additionally, trafficking survivors often report severe psychological distress, though research on the causes of this psychological distress is lacking, as there is little longitudinal data available on trafficking survivors. Informed by past literature on the links between violence and mental health among other traumatized groups of women, we investigate how experiences of violence influence posttraumatic stress, depression, and suicide ideation among a unique longitudinal sample of 116 labor-trafficked women in Ghana. We find that experiencing sexual violence while being trafficked is associated with higher levels of both depression and posttraumatic stress years after the trafficking period ended. This indicates both the long-term effects of stress and the enduring nature of psychological distress among the women in this study. Our analytic account of how violent experiences while trafficked impact mental health over the period of reintegration contributes to the general literature on violence and mental health among women, as well as to literature on the health implications of human trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy G Edgemon
- Department of Sociology, Social Policy, and Criminology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | | | - John K Anarfi
- Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - David Okech
- School of Social Work, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Baiden P, Wood B, LaBrenz CA, Onyeaka HK, Hagedorn A, Vazquez CE, Muoghalu C, Gobodzo EC, Baiden JF, Adeku Y, Mets VE, Brown FA. Investigating the co-occurrence of marijuana use and prescription opioid misuse with multiple suicide attempts among adolescents with a history of suicidal ideation. Psychiatry Res 2023; 329:115519. [PMID: 37816289 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115519] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the co-occurrent association of marijuana use and prescription opioid misuse with multiple suicide attempts among adolescents with a history of suicidal ideation. Data came from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The sample was comprised of adolescents ages 14-18 who reported suicidal ideation during the past year (n = 2,562). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the co-occurring association of marijuana use and prescription opioid misuse with multiple suicide attempts. Of the 2,562 adolescents who experienced suicidal ideation, 19.2 % also attempted suicide multiple times during the past year and 19.0 % reported ever using marijuana and misusing prescription opioids, 8.8 % misused prescription opioids only, and 33.3 % used marijuana only. In the multivariate model, for adolescents who used marijuana and misused prescription opioid, the risk of attempting suicide once was 1.77 times higher (RRR = 1.77, 95 % CI = 1.22-2.59) and the risk of multiple suicide attempts was 3.23 times higher (RRR = 3.23, 95 % CI = 1.95-5.33) when compared to adolescents who had never used marijuana nor misused prescription opioid. The risk of multiple suicide attempts was greater for bisexual and racial/ethnic minority adolescents and adolescents who felt sad or hopeless. Interventions that prevent prescription opioid misuse among adolescents may be effective in mitigating suicide attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Baiden
- The University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, 501 W. Mitchell Street, Box 19129, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA.
| | - Bethany Wood
- The University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, 501 W. Mitchell Street, Box 19129, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Catherine A LaBrenz
- The University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, 501 W. Mitchell Street, Box 19129, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Henry K Onyeaka
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Aaron Hagedorn
- The University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, 501 W. Mitchell Street, Box 19129, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Christian E Vazquez
- The University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, 501 W. Mitchell Street, Box 19129, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Chioma Muoghalu
- Plains Regional Medical Center, Clovis, New Mexico, NM, 88101, USA
| | | | - John F Baiden
- East Airport International School, P. O. Box KAPM 57, KIA, Accra, Ghana
| | - Yvonne Adeku
- Western University, Department of Sociology, Social Science Centre, Room 5306, London, Ontario, N6A 5C2, Canada
| | - Vera E Mets
- University of Ghana, Legon, Department of Social Work, P. O. Box LG 419, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Fawn A Brown
- The University of Texas at Arlington, Department of Psychology, 501 Nedderman Dr, Box 19528, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
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Tenkorang EY. Physical, sexual, and psychosocial health impacts of child abuse: Evidence from Ghana. ADVANCES IN LIFE COURSE RESEARCH 2023; 57:100559. [PMID: 38054860 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcr.2023.100559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Child abuse is a significant global health problem. While data on child abuse in Ghana are scant, anecdotal evidence suggests the vast majority of Ghanaian children have experienced some form of physical or sexual abuse. This paper explores links between early childhood abuse and health outcomes using a life course perspective. Nationally representative cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 2289 ever-married Ghanaian women in 2017. Women provided retrospective accounts of different types of violence in early childhood. Random-effects logit models were used to examine the impact of two dimensions of early childhood abuse (physical and sexual) on the physical, sexual, and psychosocial health outcomes of women in later years. Women who experienced childhood physical abuse, but not often, were significantly more likely to report physical disabilities in later years than women who did not experience it. Women reporting childhood sexual abuse were more likely to be depressed in later years than those who never experienced such abuse. They were also significantly more likely to report sexually transmitted diseases. Our findings provide support for the life course theory by showing abuse experienced in childhood could have a long-term impact. We therefore suggest the need for early interventions to address child abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Y Tenkorang
- Department of Sociology, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1C 5S7, Canada.
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Uvelli A, Duranti C, Salvo G, Coluccia A, Gualtieri G, Ferretti F. The Risk Factors of Chronic Pain in Victims of Violence: A Scoping Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2421. [PMID: 37685455 PMCID: PMC10486711 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11172421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Violent situations are unfortunately very frequent in women and children all over the world. These experiences have long-term consequences for adult physical and psychological health. One of the most reported is chronic pain, defined in various sub-diagnoses and present in all types of violence. Unfortunately, the etiology of this condition is not clear and neither are the predisposing factors. The aim of this scoping review is to examine the literature trends about the probable risk factors of chronic pain in violence victims. Considering a bio-psycho-social model, it is possible to hypothesize the presence of all these aspects. The results will be discussed in the present article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Uvelli
- Department of Medical Science, Surgery, and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cristina Duranti
- Department of Medical Science, Surgery, and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Salvo
- Department of Medical Science, Surgery, and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Coluccia
- Department of Medical Science, Surgery, and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Gualtieri
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese (AOUS), Viale Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Fabio Ferretti
- Department of Medical Science, Surgery, and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Sánchez-Jáuregui T, Téllez A, Almaraz D, Valdez A, Hinojosa-Fernández R, García-Balvaneda H, Juárez-García DM. Adverse Childhood Experiences in Mexico: Prevalence and Association with Sociodemographic Variables and Health Status. PSYCHOLOGY IN RUSSIA: STATE OF ART 2023; 16:48-62. [PMID: 37830078 PMCID: PMC10567057 DOI: 10.11621/pir.2023.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to a semantic field of negative childhood events that, in conjunction with insufficient personal, family, or contextual coping resources, have the potential of becoming traumatic. Objective To assess the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their association with sociodemographic variables and physical and mental illnesses in a Mexican sample. Design A cross-sectional design was used. The sample included 917 Mexican adults who responded to the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). Most of the participants were female (79.3%) with an average age of 37 years, a monthly income between 500 and 2,500 USD (59.2%), had completed university education (45.6%) and were married or in a common-law marriage (53.1%). Data was collected through Google Forms, and the link to the form was shared through electronic social networks. Results A total of 48.3% of the participants presented seven to nine types of ACEs. Among their responses, the most prevalent categories were emotional neglect (95.1%), family violence (83.3%), and emotional abuse (78.6%). A significant association was found between the number of ACEs and the mental illness diagnosis (x2(20) = 15.16; p<001). Women were found to report more experiences of sexual abuse (z = -6.62, p<. 001), whereas men reported more experiences of community violence (z= -4.27, p < .001) and collective violence (z = -3.94, p<.001). Conclusions The prevalence of ACEs in the Mexican population is high. However, men and women reported differences in certain types of ACEs. It was found that people with a diagnosis and family history of mental illnesses presented a higher number of ACE categories.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diana Almaraz
- Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Arturo Valdez
- Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
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Cherewick M, Dahl RE, Bertomen S, Hipp E, Shreedar P, Njau PF, Leiferman JA. Risk and protective factors for mental health and wellbeing among adolescent orphans. Health Psychol Behav Med 2023; 11:2219299. [PMID: 37274749 PMCID: PMC10234133 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2023.2219299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Research has demonstrated the importance of understanding risk factors for mental health and wellbeing. Less research has focused on protective factors that protect mental health and promote wellbeing in diverse contexts. Estimating structural paths from risk protective factors to psychopathology and wellbeing can inform prioritization of targeted investment in adolescent health programs that seek to modify factors that are most closely associated with mental wellbeing. Study objective The purpose of this study was to examine risk factors (e.g. emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical neglect, stigma) and protective factors (e.g. community relationships, self-esteem, and autonomy) among adolescent orphans, protective associations with depression, anxiety and externalizing behaviors and promotive associations with hope, happiness, and health. Methods The analytic sample was collected between January and March of 2019 and included 350 adolescent orphans ages 10-15 from three districts in Tanzania. Participants completed survey interviews, 75-90 min in length, that measured risk and protective factors, psychological symptoms, and mental wellbeing measures. Results Results of the fitted structural equation model indicated that structural paths from protective factors to psychopathology (β = -0.53, p = 0.015) and mental wellbeing (β = 0.72, p = 0.014) outcomes were significant. Structural paths from risk factors to psychopathology (β = -0.34, p = 0.108) and mental wellbeing (β = -0.24, p = 0.405) were not significant. Conclusion In a sample of vulnerable youth, protective factors (e.g. community relationships, self-esteem, and autonomy) were significantly associated with reduced depression, anxiety and externalizing behaviors and increased hope, happiness, and health in a structural equation model that included risk factors (emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical neglect). Results suggest that strong community relationships, self-esteem and autonomy may be important modifiable factors to target in intervention programs aimed at supporting adolescent mental wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Cherewick
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ronald E. Dahl
- Institute of Human Development, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Samantha Bertomen
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Emily Hipp
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Priyanka Shreedar
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Jenn A. Leiferman
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, CO, USA
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Xue S, Xu W. Childhood Sexual Abuse and Associated Suicidal Ideation and Attempts Among Gay and Bisexual Men in China: A Moderated Mediation Model. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2023; 38:2881-2909. [PMID: 35608248 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221104528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a critical risk factor for suicidal ideation and attempts, especially among gay and bisexual men who experience living as a minority. However, whether internalized homophobia (IH) underlies suicide risk and the role of outness to one's family in this association warrants investigation to inform preventive interventions. Using a cross-sectional survey of 570 gay and bisexual men in China, we examined the relationship between CSA and suicidality in the Chinese context and tested a moderated mediation model in this relationship. Nearly 65.6% of the participants had experienced suicidal ideation and 36.8% had attempted suicide. Participants with a history of CSA had higher suicidal ideation (r = 0.33, p < .01) and attempts (r = 0.48, p < .01). Our bootstrapped mediation analysis showed that IH partially mediated the relationship between CSA and suicidal ideation and attempts. Moreover, outness to one's family (parents and other family members) strengthened the direct association of CSA and IH, and the indirect relationship between CSA and suicidal ideation and attempts. These findings highlight the significance of identifying risk factors and mechanisms for suicidality among Chinese gay and bisexual men, suggesting the importance of early intervention, especially for those who have experienced CSA, to eliminate their IH and to improve family support for coming out to prevent the onset of suicidal ideation and attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Xue
- Department of Sociology and Psychology, School of Public Administration, 12530Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Institute of Psychology, 12530Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenjian Xu
- Department of Sociology and Psychology, School of Public Administration, 12530Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Institute of Psychology, 12530Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Tang J, Wang J, Pei Y, Dereje SB, Chen Q, Yan N, Luo Y, Wang Y, Wang W. How adverse and benevolent childhood experiences influence depression and suicidal ideation in Chinese undergraduates: a latent class analysis. Environ Health Prev Med 2023; 28:17. [PMID: 36823044 PMCID: PMC9989774 DOI: 10.1265/ehpm.22-00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been minimal research on the role of benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) and how such events may offer protection from the insidious effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or later in life. OBJECTIVES This research aims to learn how BCEs and ACEs interact to affect adolescents' psychological distress. METHODS Cross-sectional survey was conducted in three cities (Xuzhou, Nanjing, and Wuhan) in China from March 2021 to May 2021. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to classify the patterns of ACEs and BCEs. We adopted hierarchical multivariable regression to examine the influences of ACEs and BCEs on depression and suicidal ideation. RESULTS To explore the relationship between childhood experience and suicidal ideation and depression, LCA revealed three patterns of ACEs: (1) emotional abuse (10.57%); (2) high ACEs (0.55%); and (3) low ACEs classes (88.88%). Adolescents with emotional abuse (depression: OR = 3.82, 95%CI = 2.80-5.22, P < 0.001; suicidal ideation: OR = 5.766, 95%CI = 3.97-8.38, P < 0.001) and high ACEs class (suicidal ideation: OR = 5.93, 95%CI = 1.19-29.66, P < 0.05) had an increased risk of psychological distress (reference: low ACEs). LCA revealed four patterns of BCEs: (1) relationship support (14.54%); (2) low BCEs (4.85%); (3) high BCEs (55.34%); and (4) high quality of life classes (25.28%). Adolescents with a high quality of life (depression: OR = 0.09, 95%CI = 0.05-0.16, P < 0.001; suicidal ideation: OR = 0.22, 95%CI = 0.12-0.40, P < 0.001) and high BCEs (depression: OR = 0.05, 95%CI = 0.03-0.09, P < 0.001; suicidal ideation: OR = 0.15, 95%CI = 0.09-0.26, P < 0.001) protected the mental health of adolescents (reference: low BCEs). CONCLUSIONS High ACEs and emotional abuse classes were significantly associated with poorer mental health symptoms, including suicidal ideation and depression. In contrast, high BCEs and high quality of life classes were associated with better mental health. These findings point out that it is more necessary to identify and support victims of ACEs, and it is urgent to increase BCEs in early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Tang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University
| | | | - Yifei Pei
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University
| | | | - Qian Chen
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University
| | - Na Yan
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University
| | - Yunjiao Luo
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University
| | - Yuhao Wang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University.,Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University.,Engineering Research Innovation Center of Biological Data Mining and Healthcare Transformation, Xuzhou Medical University
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