INFLUENCE OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES ON MENTAL HEALTH AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF UNIVERSITIES IN TARABA STATE

Nehemiah B. Audu, Ihaji Elvis Oblu, Judith Ayangeawam Mase

Abstract


This study investigated the influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on mental health outcomes specifically depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduates of universities in Taraba State, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross sectional study design. The respondents consist of 382 undergraduate student selected from Federal University Wukari, Taraba State University Jalingo, and Kwararafa University. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires consisting of participants’ socio-demographic data, Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-10), Patient Heath Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Three hypotheses were postulated and tested using linear regression. The results showed that Adverse Childhood Experiences have significant positive influence on depression [F(1, 380) = 17.532; R2 = .044; p < 0.01]; ACEs have a positive (β = .272) influence on anxiety and this influence is significant [F(1, 380) = 30.329; R2 = 0.074; p < 0.01]; ACEs have significant positive influence perceived stress [F(1, 380) = 6.579; R2 = 0.017; p < 0.05]. The study concludes that childhood adversity influences mental health among undergraduates in Taraba State. The study recommends among others that the managements of universities across Taraba State in collaboration with the Student Affairs Di-vision and licensed clinical psychologists should create better awareness and education around mental health, especially as it relates to past experiences, to ensure that students are not silently struggling with the consequences of childhood trauma while trying to navigate the academic and social demands of university life.


Keywords


Adverse Childhood Experiences, Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, Stress.

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