Prevalence and correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among welfare- and justice-involved adolescents in Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: 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.Objective: 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.Method: 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.Results: 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; p < .001) and witnessing violence (OR = 0.230; 95% CI 0.114-0.597; p < .004) predicted depression. Emotional abuse (OR = 0.186; 95% CI 0.090-0.80; p < .015), witnessing violence (OR = 0.147; 95% CI 0.014-0.876; p < .043), neglect (OR = 0.187; 95% CI 0.14-0.90; p < .008), and physical abuse (OR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.254-0.937; p < .001) predicted PTSD. Also, PTSD significantly differed based on type of placement (F = 6.08, p < .014, η²= .029), but depression did not differ based on type of placement (F = 2.46, p > .118, η²= .012).Conclusions: 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.