Childhood Adversity as a predictor of Depression and Suicidality among Adolescents in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

Background Child abuse occurs worldwide and negatively impacts the health, functioning and psychological wellbeing of victims. Its effect on adolescent mental health has been insufficiently explored in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of child abuse on the occurrence of depression and suicidality among Nigerian adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 327 secondary school students in Calabar, Nigeria. Beck’s depression inventory, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (SF) assessing emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect, and questions on suicidality from the Nigerian version of the Global School-based Student health survey (GSHS) were administered. Results Sexual abuse (41.3%) was the commonest type, followed by physical neglect (38.5%) and physical abuse (30.0%). Over two-thirds (67.3%) had experienced at least one type of abuse. All types of abuse emerged as significant predictors of depression, with physical abuse being the strongest predictor. Also, all abuse types predicted various self-harming behaviours (considering, planning or attempting suicide and deliberate self-harm). There was a stepwise increase in the risk of depression and suicidal behaviour with the experience of more abuse types. All dimensions of abuse were significantly correlated, with the strongest association between physical and emotional neglect. Conclusion Child abuse predicts depression and suicidality and is worse with multiple types of abuse. Public health interventions to prevent childhood trauma and screen for mental disorders in victims should be instituted in Nigeria.