Work

The relationship between childhood abuse and depression in a sample of Chinese people who use methamphetamine

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objective Previous studies have shown that childhood abuse is associated with symptoms of depression. This study aims to examine the prevalence of childhood abuse or neglect and its correlation with depression among a sample of Chinese people who use methamphetamine. Method People who use methamphetamine (MA) ( N = 1,173) were recruited from government-operated drug rehabilitation centres in Anhui province, China. Participants were assessed using the short form of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory-II for childhood abuse or neglect and depression symptoms. Results A total of 44.6% of people who use MA reported moderate/severe childhood abuse or neglect, and 56.9% of this sample were diagnosed with depression. Emotional abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect were revealed to increase the risk of depression. Multivariable regression analyses showed that depression scores were significantly predicted by gender, duration of drug use, sexual abuse and emotional neglect (model R 2 = .08, p < .001). The interaction between emotional neglect and duration of drug use on the depression was statistically significant. Conclusions These analyses indicate that sexual abuse and emotional neglect increase the severity of depression in individuals who use MA in drug rehabilitation centres of China.

Source: International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2019.06.003

Authors: Yanling Chen, Junjie Zhang, Yehuan Sun

Institutions: Anhui Medical University, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,970