EFFECTS OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES ON DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To investigate adverse childhood experiences with depression and suicidal ideation among Pakistani adults. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, a convenient sampling method was used to collect information from 400 participants. In this study, both males and females (n=200) between the ages of 20 and 50 were considered. We recruited 400 people from Peshawar's drug recovery institutes and 400 people from other institutions (Paki-stan). Each person who agreed to take part received a booklet with demographic questions, the ACEs-IQ (= 0.86), the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D, =0.76), and the Suicidal Behavior Risk-R (α=0.76) questionnaires. Results: The dataset was examined using a t-test and a regression analysis. In this study, 44% of the subjects reported having traumatic events in their formative years. Moreover, a t-test reveals a significant difference between ACEs patients and non-ACEs sufferers on depression (t=-18.27, P .001) and suicidal thoughts (t=-11.81, P .001). Regression analysis indicated a relationship between home dysfunction and depression and between household dysfunction and suicidal thoughts [F (3,175) = 12.439, P.001, R2.176]. Conclusion: The results of the study concluded that 44% of the participants experienced ACEs as children. Significant predictors of depression and suicidal thoughts include family dysfunction and emotional neglect. However, sexual abuse is underreported in the present investigation.