Abstract
Purpose
In spite of the apparent increases in family and community violence, research into its effects on adolescent mental health
has received limited attention in Cambodia. This study examines the association between exposure to violence and depressive
symptoms among adolescents controlling for the effects of several factors in family and school domains.
has received limited attention in Cambodia. This study examines the association between exposure to violence and depressive
symptoms among adolescents controlling for the effects of several factors in family and school domains.
Methods
We randomly selected 993 male and 950 female students proportionally from 11 junior high schools and high schools in Battembang
provincial city. Students were questioned about the violence to which they were subjected and which they witnessed in their
family and community. The Asian Adolescent Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptoms.
provincial city. Students were questioned about the violence to which they were subjected and which they witnessed in their
family and community. The Asian Adolescent Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptoms.
Results
In this study, 27.9 % of male students and 21.5 % of female students had been victimized in at least one case of family violence,
while 18.0 % of male and 5.8 % of female students had been victimized in at least one case of community violence. After adjustment,
increased levels of depressive symptoms were significantly associated with being the victim of or witnessing family or community
violence among both male and female students. However, the positive association between the levels of depressive symptoms
and being a witness to community violence was found only in female students.
while 18.0 % of male and 5.8 % of female students had been victimized in at least one case of community violence. After adjustment,
increased levels of depressive symptoms were significantly associated with being the victim of or witnessing family or community
violence among both male and female students. However, the positive association between the levels of depressive symptoms
and being a witness to community violence was found only in female students.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0553-2
- Authors
- Siyan Yi, The Walter H. Shorenstein Asia–Pacific Research Center, The Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University, 616 Serra Street, Encina Hall E311, Stanford, CA 94305-6055, USA
- Krishna C. Poudel, Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Junko Yasuoka, Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Songky Yi, Battambang Provincial Department for Education, Youth, and Sports, Road No 57, Battambang, Cambodia
- Paula H. Palmer, School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, 18 East Via Verde Ste. 100, Claremont, CA 91773, USA
- Masamine Jimba, Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954