Relationship between adverse childhood experiences and depression in early adolescence / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore the relationship between Adverse childhood experiences(ACEs) and depression in early adolescence, and to provide scientific basis for effectively coping with the impact of ACEs on adolescents’ mental health.@*Methods@#Stratified cluster sampling method was used to select adolescents in grade 6-8 in three middle schools of Shanghai during November and December of 2017. Adolescents were investigated anonymously using computer assisted self-interview approach via the tablets. Information including demographic characteristics, ACEs, and depression was collected. The chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the relationship between ACEs and depression, after controlling potential confounders.@*Results@#Totally 1 629 eligible records were obtained. 65.25% of the respondents had experienced of neglect, followed by those abused(61.26%), and the incidence of family dysfunction was relatively low(20.81%). About 79.01% of the respondents had experienced at least one ACE, and more than half(61.45%) of the respondents had experienced at least two ACEs, and 10.01% of the respondents had experienced five or more ACEs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that abuse and neglect experienced by male and female adolescents was associated with depression severity, with the OR values ranging from 2.62 to 3.60. Family dysfunction was found to be associated with depression only in male adolescents, with the OR of 1.91. The cumulative effect of ACE score on depression was observed.@*Conclusion@#Different types of ACEs in early adolescents are associated with depression, and ACEs have cumulative effects on depression severity.