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Citation
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Subramaniam M, Abdin E, Seow E, Vaingankar JA, Shafie S, Shahwan S, Lim M, Fung D, James L, Verma S, Chong SA. Child Abuse Negl. 2020; 103: e104447. |
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with deleterious consequences throughout the lifespan of the individual, including an increased risk of mental disorders. However, an in-depth understanding of ACEs in diverse populations is still lacking especially in Asian populations, with few studies done at a population level.
OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to establish the (i) prevalence of ACEs and its socio-demographic correlates, and, (ii) association of ACEs with mental disorders and suicidality in a multiethnic Asian country. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Singapore residents aged 18 years and older were recruited from the community as part of a nation-wide cross-sectional epidemiological study.
METHODS: Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews with participants, and administered the Adverse Childhood Experiences - International Questionnaire and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.
RESULTS: A total of 6126 participants completed the survey. The lifetime prevalence of ACEs in the sample was 63.9 %. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that odds of any ACE were higher among those above 65 years (OR = 1.7) and those without university education (OR = 2.2, 1.9, and 1.5 among those with primary and below, secondary and vocational education respectively). The presence of any ACE was significantly associated with increased odds of mood (OR = 3.7, 95 % CI: 2.3-6.0), anxiety (OR = 3.9, 95 % CI: 2.3-6.8) and alcohol use (OR = 1.7, 95 % CI: 1.1-3.0) disorders.
CONCLUSIONS: ACEs are not uncommon in Asian populations. There is a need to build trauma-informed communities that can incorporate the knowledge of the impact of early trauma into policies and programs.
Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Language: en |