Child Abuse Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Child Abuse, including details on family violence, examinations, long-term effects, psychiatrics disorders.

The experience of abuse and mental health in the young Thai population A preliminary survey.

Jirapramukpitak T, Prince M, Harpham T

Postgraduate Studies Office, Thammasat University, Paholyothin Road, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand. tawanchai@lycos.com

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence of child abuse exposure among Thai people in a suburban community and to describe the association of abuse experiences with common mental disorders (CMD), alcohol use disorders and substance use. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Northern Bangkok on a representative sample of 202 young residents, aged 16-25 years. RESULTS: Thirty eight percent of the respondents reported experiencing some form of abuse during childhood, with 5.8% having been subjected to sexual penetration, 11.7% having been physically abused and 31.8% emotionally abused. A graded relationship was found between the extent of exposure to abuse during childhood and mental problems. After controlling for potential confounders, CMD remained significantly associated with emotional abuse, and alcohol use disorders remained associated with sexual abuse. Strong but non-significant trends were present for associations between CMD and sexual abuse and all forms of abuse with substance use. CONCLUSION: Child abuse experiences were common among the respondents. Childhood abuse, particularly sexual abuse, has a potentially devastating impact on adult mental health.

Published 17 January 2006 in Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 40(12): 955-63.
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