Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Adolescent , Stress, Psychological/etiology , Violence/psychology , Psychological Trauma/etiology , Peru , Schools , Stress, Psychological/diagnosis , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Violence/legislation & jurisprudence , Violence/prevention & control , Violence/statistics & numerical data , Psychological Trauma/diagnosis , Psychological Trauma/psychology , Human DevelopmentABSTRACT
Objective: In Western countries, the prevalence of childhood trauma (CT) ranges from 15 to 25%. CT might be indirectly associated with lower parental socioeconomic status and educational attainments. The aims of this cross-sectional study were fourfold: to assess prevalence of CT in a large sample of Iranian children; to compare the Iranian prevalence rates with those of Western countries; to explore gender-specific patterns; and to explore possible socioeconomic predictors. Method: The sample comprised 608 children (mean age 11.49 years, 51.5% females). All completed the Farsi version of the Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children. Additionally, parents reported on their current employment status and highest educational level. Results: Trauma symptoms were reported by 20 of 295 boys and 23 of 313 girls. The overall prevalence was 7.1%. Child-reported trauma symptoms were not associated with parents' socioeconomic status or highest educational level. Compared to prevalence findings from U.S. national surveys (ranging from 15-25% of children and adolescents), the prevalence among 11- and 12-year-olds in the present study was considerably lower. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of reported trauma symptoms among a large sample of Iranian children was unrelated to parents' socioeconomic status, and was lower than that reported in U.S. surveys.