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Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Classes of childhood adversities and their associations to the mental health of college undergraduates: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Authors: Peigang Wang, Mohammedhamid Osman Kelifa, Bin Yu, Yinmei Yang

Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Childhood adversities pose deleterious consequences on health and well-being, but limited studies explore whether unique patterns of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact the mental health of emerging adults and the mediating role of current stressful events (CSEs). This study examined classes of ACEs and how they relate to CSEs, psychological distress, and subjective well-being among Eritrean College undergraduates.

Methods

Cross-sectional data on ACEs, CSEs, symptoms of psychological distress, and subjective well-being were collected from a national sample of college students (N = 507). We identified ACE patterns using latent class analysis and further examined whether CSEs mediated the effects of ACE classes on psychological distress and subjective well-being.

Results

86.4% of the sample experienced at least one ACE. Collective violence, domestic violence, and physical abuse were the most common ACEs. Three subgroups, low ACEs (66.3%), household violence (19.1%), and multiple ACEs (14.6%) were identified. We found that relative to low ACEs, household violence (β = 0.142, 95% CI 0.046, 0.248) and multiple ACEs (β = 0.501, 95% CI 0.357, 0.666) indirectly influenced psychological distress through CSEs, and CSEs mediated the relationships between household violence (β = −0.096, 95% CI −0.176, −0.033), multiple ACEs (β = −0.338, 95% CI −0.498, −0.210), and subjective well-being. However, there were nonsignificant relative direct effects of ACE patterns on both psychological distress and subjective well-being.

Conclusions

Experiencing multiple ACEs and household violence in conjunction with CSEs significantly predict psychological distress and subjective well-being. Contextual interventions for the early identification of ACEs and the management of CSEs may play a crucial role in the prevention of mental health problems.

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Title: Classes of childhood adversities and their associations to the mental health of college undergraduates: a nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: Peigang Wang
Mohammedhamid Osman Kelifa
Bin Yu
Yinmei Yang
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1342-078X
Electronic ISSN: 1347-4715
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-021-00993-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Classes of childhood adversities and their associations to the mental health of college undergraduates: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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