Childhood trauma distribution and behavioural problems among Pakistani adolescents

International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 2024. Vol. 70. No. 8. P. 1428 –1441.

Fatima Z., Sadia R., Khan S., Charkhabi M.

Background:

Childhood trauma adversely impacts adolescents, and consequently, they develop behavioural problems. Understanding the distribution of childhood traumas and their association with behavioural problems among adolescents is paramount for the preventive efforts.

Aim/Objective:

The present research aimed to investigate this association among adolescents.

Methods:

This association was investigated among adolescents (N = 200) between 12 and 18 years. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire was used to assess the distribution of trauma and internalizing and externalizing behavioural problems among adolescents through purposive and convenience sampling technique.

Results:

The findings across trauma distribution indicated higher distribution of childhood abuse and neglect across males as compared to females. Males further significantly scored higher on sexual abuse and emotional neglect. Apparently, a large number of adolescents experienced all five sub types of childhood traumas (sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, emotional and physical neglect). Additionally, across the severity continuum of childhood traumas, male scored higher on the severe to extreme continuum for all subtypes except physical abuse, where females scored higher. Lastly, logistic regression analysis indicated higher peer problems among those adolescents who have experienced all types of childhood traumas.

Conclusion:

These findings could be beneficial for intervention-based programs and policies to help trauma-exposed adolescents cope with their lives.

Keywords: child abuse, Behavioural problems, childhood trauma, childhood trauma threshold