Jul 2026· Nature Human Behaviour· 0 citations· 37 references
Medicine
TL;DR
It is highlighted that trauma exposure is ubiquitous and associated with depressive symptoms among Chinese LGBTQ+ individuals and unfavourable behavioural factors such as smoking, lower social support and negative coping may mediate these associations.
Background: Mental health disorders, including depression, constitute a major global public health concern that can lead to significant morbidity as well as societal costs. Internally displaced people are at risk for depression. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms among adults in Atbara, northern Sudan, and identify the key factors associated with depressive symptoms, including internal displacement. Methods: Using a stratified sampling technique, data were collected by trained research assistants through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Multivariate binary analysis was performed. Results: Three hundred and seventy-three adults were enrolled in this study; 104 (27.9%) were males. Their median age was 42.0 years. Of the 373 adults, 81 (21.7%, 95.0% confidence interval = 17.5–25.9%) had depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 scores ≥ 8). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was significantly higher among displaced adults: 39 (28.1%) of the 139 displaced adults had depression, and 42 (17.9%) of the non-displaced adults had depression, p = 0.027. In multivariate binary analysis, being internally displaced was the only factor associated with depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio = 1.82, 95% confidence interval = 1.07–3.08); age, body mass index, sex, education, and marital status were not associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusions: One out of five adults in this region of Sudan had depressive symptoms, which was associated with internal displacement. More effort and further research are needed to explore possible interventions to improve mental health and livelihoods, especially among internally displaced people.
Ferdows K. Kheiri, S. K. Noor, S. Alharthi et al.· Healthcare· 0 citations
INTRODUCTION
Childhood trauma is associated with long-term adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including somatic symptoms; however, this relationship has been underexplored among young adults in India. This study aimed to assess the association between childhood trauma and somatization in young adults.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted using Google Forms among 850 college students. Somatization was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), childhood trauma was measured with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), and personality traits were evaluated using the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10).
RESULTS
Of the 467 participants (55% response rate; mean age 21.9 years; 54.6% female), 39% reported experiencing childhood trauma. The prevalence of childhood trauma was significantly higher among somatizers (63.0%) compared to nonsomatizers (30.7%) (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.59-4.21). This association was particularly strong for emotional abuse (aOR = 3.92; 95% CI: 2.08-7.38) and sexual abuse (aOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.11-3.39), as shown by multivariable binomial logistic regression analysis. Additionally, there was a significant trend of increasing somatization severity with a greater number of childhood trauma types (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Childhood trauma, especially emotional and sexual abuse, was strongly associated with somatization among young adults. These findings underscore the importance of screening for trauma and the development of trauma-focused interventions in this population.
Ruquaia Ariwala, S. Praharaj· Acta Psychologica· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a major public health concern with lifelong mental health consequences. Fear of crime (FOC) relates to victimization and mental health, yet the specific CM-FOC association remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE
To examine how experiences of maltreatment shape affective fear responses later in life.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS
A representative German sample of 2530 participants (54% female; age 16-92, M = 49.42) was surveyed on experiences of CM using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Affective, cognitive, and behavioral FOC were measured using items adapted from the German Victimization Survey 2017.
METHODS
Analyses comprised Kruskal-Wallis test, post-hoc comparisons, multiple regression and mediation models.
RESULTS
In the sample, 29.2% reported at least one type of CM. Individuals with one or multiple CM exposures reported significantly higher levels of affective FOC compared to those without CM. When controlled for other CM types and sociodemographic factors, physical neglect (PN) and sexual abuse (SA) remained robust and significant predictors of affective FOC. Mediation indicated that PN increased affective FOC both directly and indirectly through cognitive FOC and behavioral FOC. In contrast, the effect of SA on affective FOC was fully mediated by cognitive FOC.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to a single form of CM (compared to none) was associated with higher levels of affective FOC, with polyvictimization leading to further increases. PN and SA emerged as the strongest predictors of affective FOC. Mediation findings support the tripartite conceptualization of FOC and demonstrate the dynamic interrelations between its dimensions.
Stefan Wagner, Katrin Chauviré-Geib, Jelena Gerke et al.· International Journal of Chi...· 0 citations
Background Suicidality is a critical public health concern among LGBTQ+ youth, yet evidence from Vietnam remains limited. This study estimated the prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts and examined associated sociodemographic and psychological factors among Vietnamese LGBTQ+ youth. Methods We conducted a community-based, online cross-sectional survey from February to April 2025. Participants included 384 LGBTQ+ individuals aged 18–24 years residing in Vietnam. Participants were recruited through the LGBTQ+ -led or LGBTQ+ -supportive social media and community networks. Suicidality was assessed alongside symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Monthly income was self-reported and categorized into USD bands. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to identify factors associated with lifetime suicidal outcomes. Results The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts was 56.5%, 32.1%, and 16.9%, respectively. Recent (past 12 months) prevalence was 5.5%, 3.6%, and 3.1%. In multivariable analyses, stress [AOR = 4.52 (95% CI: 2.35–8.72)] and anxiety [AOR = 2.12 (95% CI: 1.03–4.34)] were associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation and plans. Anxiety emerged as the sole independent predictor of suicide attempts [AOR = 4.30 (95% CI: 1.28–14.41)]. Conversely, higher income (≥USD 386/month) and rural residence were associated with lower odds of suicidal ideation. Conclusions Suicidality is highly prevalent among this accessible, predominantly urban, and connected subpopulation of LGBTQ+ youth in Vietnam. Anxiety and stress are the most robust proximal correlates of suicidal behaviors. Suicide prevention strategies for this population must incorporate routine screening for anxiety and stress, deliver LGBTQ + -affirming care, and address underlying economic vulnerabilities.
M. Do, Tung Doan, M. Pham et al.· PLoS ONE· 0 citations
Early (before age 6) potentially traumatic events (PTEs) may interact with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning to shape outcomes involving externalizing problems and anxiety. However, directions of effects remain unclear. This study examined associations between aspects of HPA axis reactivity, anxiety, and externalizing problems over two years by early PTE exposure history, while statistically capturing the co-occurrence of symptom domains. Youth (N = 189; Mage = 10.96 years, SD = 2.51, Range = 8-15; 52.4% female, 47.1% male; 50.3% White, 35.4% Black/African American, 6.4% Other; 7.4% Hispanic/Latine) were included if they had early PTE exposure (n = 107) or had never experienced a PTE (n = 82). HPA axis reactivity to social stress was calculated using area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg) and increase (AUCi). For youth with early PTE exposure, higher AUCg was concurrently associated with more externalizing symptoms and greater predominance of externalizing over anxiety. Blunted AUCi predicted increasing predominance of externalizing for the early PTE group, but elevated AUCi predicted increases in anxiety for the no PTE group. Findings highlight distinct roles of overall and reactive HPA axis functioning in shaping outcomes following early trauma.
Gretchen R. Perhamus, Rachel E. Siciliano, Tiffany Phu et al.· Development and Psychopathol...· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Adolescent depression is a significant public health concern shaped by contextual and cultural factors.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms among adolescents in Kosovo and explored associations between early adversity, current stress, coping strategies, and perceived social support.
METHOD
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2 106 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years, using validated self-report measures of depression, early adversity, stress, coping, and perceived social support.
RESULTS
Nearly half of participants (48.3%) reported depressive symptoms, with higher rates among girls. Early adverse experiences within the family-submission, devaluation, and threat-were associated with higher depressive symptoms, with submission emerging as the most prominent correlate. Coping strategies showed differentiated patterns. Specifically, problem-focused coping was associated with lower depressive symptoms. In contrast, avoidant coping and maladaptive aspects of emotion-focused coping were associated with higher symptoms, highlighting variability within emotion-focused processes. Current stress was independently associated with depressive symptoms and amplified associations between early adversity and depression. Perceived social support from family, peers, and significant others showed context-dependent patterns, reflecting both protective and conditional associations across stressors and relational contexts.
CONCLUSION
These findings underscore the central role of early experiences of submission within the family in adolescent depression and highlight the importance of coping processes, particularly the potentially maladaptive role of certain emotion-focused strategies in resource-constrained contexts. Results support the stress proliferation framework and highlight the need for culturally sensitive, trauma-informed interventions that strengthen problem-focused coping, enhance effective use of social support, and address early-life adversity.
Lulejete Prekazi, Voltisa Gjergji· Journal of Child and Adolesc...· 0 citations
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