Prevalence and correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among welfare- and justice-involved adolescents in Nigeria
Creators: name: Olorunlambe, Wasiu
name: Adeniyi, Sherifat
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024
Subjects: Medicine
Biotechnology
Science Policy
Mental Health

description: <b>Background:</b> Childhood maltreatment (CM) is higher among welfare- and justice-involved youth than in those not involved in these systems, which increases the risk of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the mechanisms underlying the link between CM and these two psychiatric conditions are less well understood among at-risk populations in low- and middle-income countries. <b>Objective:</b> This study attempts to fill this gap by examining the prevalence of and risk factors for depression and PTSD among at-risk groups in Nigeria. <b>Method:</b> A cross-sectional research design using multistage sampling was adopted. The sample comprised 205 adolescents: justice-involved [102 (49.8%)] and welfare-involved [103 (50.2%)]. In total, 151 (73.7%) were males, while 54 (26.3%) were females. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and multivariate analysis of variance were applied. <b>Results:</b> The results showed that 66.1% of welfare-involved adolescents and 69.6% of justice-involved adolescents reported PTSD, while 68.9% of welfare-involved adolescents and 75.5% of justice-detained adolescents reported depression. Neglect (OR = 0.253; 95% CI 0.146–0.571; <i>p</i> &lt; .001) and witnessing violence (OR = 0.230; 95% CI 0.114–0.597; <i>p</i> &lt; .004) predicted depression. Emotional abuse (OR = 0.186; 95% CI 0.090–0.80; <i>p</i> &lt; .015), witnessing violence (OR = 0.147; 95% CI 0.014–0.876; <i>p</i> &lt; .043), neglect (OR = 0.187; 95% CI 0.14–0.90; <i>p</i> &lt; .008), and physical abuse (OR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.254–0.937; <i>p</i> &lt; .001) predicted PTSD. Also, PTSD significantly differed based on type of placement (<i>F</i> = 6.08, <i>p</i> &lt; .014, <i>η</i><sup>2 </sup>= .029), but depression did not differ based on type of placement (<i>F</i> = 2.46, <i>p</i> &gt; .118, <i>η</i><sup>2 </sup>= .012). <b>Conclusions:</b> CM profiles are risk factors in PTSD and depression among at-risk groups. CM screening should be included in mental health services of out-of-home placements to prevent the cycle of mental health problems and reoffending. Trauma-focused and cognitive–behavioural therapies have the potential to alleviate the suffering of traumatized adolescents. Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are common mental health disorders among at-risk populations, and both are underresearched in low- and middle-income countries.Childhood maltreatment is a significant risk factor in mental health disorders among justice-involved and welfare-involved adolescents.Childhood maltreatment screening should be included in the mental health services of juvenile justice systems and residential care homes. Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are common mental health disorders among at-risk populations, and both are underresearched in low- and middle-income countries. Childhood maltreatment is a significant risk factor in mental health disorders among justice-involved and welfare-involved adolescents. Childhood maltreatment screening should be included in the mental health services of juvenile justice systems and residential care homes.