The association of depression and child maltreatments among Indonesian adolescents

Abstract Background: Depression is one of the most prevalent emotional mental health problem among adolescents. Mental health problem might be the result of child maltreatment considering their prevalence are increasing simultaneously in Indonesia. The aim of this study is determining the association between depression and history of maltreatment among adolescents. Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted to 786 junior high school students of Bandung City, West Java, Indonesia. Subject was selected using two stage cluster sampling. The questionnaire of Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tool (ICAST) were applied to assess depression and history of maltreatment respectively. Depression confirmation was diagnosed by psychiatry based on scored positive in CDI. Data were analyzed using chi-square and multiple regression test. Results: History of child maltreatment was associated with depressive disorder in adolescents (p = 0.03). All dimension of child maltreatment had significant association with depression (p <0.05). Psychological violence had the highest risk factor for the occurrence of depressive disorders (PR = 6.51), followed by violence exposure and physical violence. Sexual violence was not a common dimension of child maltreatment among students. The history of psychological violence had the strongest association with depression, which three times more likely to develop depression (POR = 3.302, p = 0.004)Conclusion: Psychological violence was proven as a strong risk factor in developing depression symptom for adolescents student. Early intervention to prevent maltreatment and its consequences is critical, as well.