open access publication

Article, 2024

Exploring Independent and Cumulative Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on PTSD and CPTSD a Study in Ugandan Adolescents

Children, ISSN 2227-9067, Volume 11, 5, Page 517, 10.3390/children11050517

Contributors

Ferrajão, Paulo Correia 0000-0002-2837-0965 (Corresponding author) [1] [2] Frias, Francisco 0000-0002-4256-7537 [2] Elklit, A E Ask 0000-0002-8469-7372 [3]

Affiliations

  1. [1] University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro
    2. [NORA names: Portugal; Europe, EU; OECD];
  2. [2] Universidade Europeia
    3. [NORA names: Portugal; Europe, EU; OECD];
  3. [3] University of Southern Denmark
    4. [NORA names: SDU University of Southern Denmark; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD]

Abstract

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is related to higher morbidity and mortality among adolescents. The present study analyzed the independent and cumulative effects of ACE exposure on the likelihood of PTSD and a CPSTD diagnosis in Ugandan adolescents. A sample of 401 schoolchildren participated in the study. The primary aim was to collect information on ACEs, PTSD, CPTSD, and attachment styles among adolescents living in different countries. It was found that exposure to 2-3 ACEs and exposure to 4-5 ACEs were significantly associated with PTSD diagnosis, while exposure to sexual abuse, bullying, threats of violence, and near-drowning were significantly related to CPTSD diagnosis. Fearful attachment style was significantly associated with PTSD diagnosis. The results propose that biological, psychological, and social issues interact and contribute to the differential prevalence of ACE, attachment styles, and PTSD/CPTSD. This study underscores the importance of addressing childhood-averse and traumatic experiences as a public health priority in Uganda.

Keywords

ACE exposure, CPTSD, PTSD, PTSD diagnosis, PTSD/CPTSD, Uganda, Ugandan, Ugandan adolescents, abuse, adolescents, adverse childhood experiences, aim, associated with PTSD diagnosis, attachment, attachment style, bullying, childhood experiences, countries, cumulative effect, cumulative effects of adverse childhood experiences, diagnosis, different countries, differential prevalence, effects of adverse childhood experiences, experiments, exposure, exposure to 2, exposure to 4, exposure to adverse childhood experiences, exposure to sexual abuse, fearful attachment style, health priority, high morbidity, independence, information, issues, likelihood, likelihood of PTSD, morbidity, mortality, near-drowning, prevalence of adverse childhood experiences, priority, public health priority, results, samples, schoolchildren, sexual abuse, social issues, study, style, threat, threats of violence, traumatic experiences, violence

Data Provider: Digital Science

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