The effect of childhood maltreatment on psychological well-being among public high school and preparatory school students, Northwest Ethiopia: using structural equation modeling
Abstract Background Childhood Maltreatment (CM) refers to any form of abuse and neglect as such physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, and motional neglect of children below the age of 18 years. It is global public health problem with severe and enduring consequences. Altho...
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2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23607-1 |
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| author | Angwach Abrham Asnake Asefa Adimasu Taddese Mehari Woldemariam Merid |
| author_facet | Angwach Abrham Asnake Asefa Adimasu Taddese Mehari Woldemariam Merid |
| author_sort | Angwach Abrham Asnake |
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| description | Abstract Background Childhood Maltreatment (CM) refers to any form of abuse and neglect as such physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, and motional neglect of children below the age of 18 years. It is global public health problem with severe and enduring consequences. Although examining the consequences of CM on psychological well-being can offer valuable insights for the development of targeted interventions, there is a limited body of research both globally and in Ethiopia specifically addressing the impact of each distinct form of CM on psychological well-being. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of of each form of CM on psychological well-being among public high school and preparatory school students in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 18 to May 9, 2023. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 1,276 participants. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to evaluate the direct, indirect, and total effects of CM on psychological well-being. Results Approximately 19.76% (95% CI: 17.57%, 22.09%) of students had low psychological well-being. The most prevalent dimension was a sense of purpose in life, reported by 75.87% (95% CI: 73.38%, 78.23%) of respondents. Emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and overall CM had a direct inverse relationship with psychological well-being, with effect sizes of β = -0.325 (95% CI: -0.535, -0.107), β = -0.396 (95% CI: -0.665, -0.123), and β = -0.872 (95% CI: -1.595, -0.448), respectively. Physical neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect had an indirect inverse relationship with psychological well-being, with effect sizes of β = -0.300 (95% CI: -0.625, -0.159), β = -0.187 (95% CI: -0.362, -0.082), β = -0.281 (95% CI: -0.478, -0.146), and β = -0.240 (95% CI: -0.437, -0.117), respectively. Conclusion This study emphasizes that emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and overall CM directly decrease the psychological well-being of adolescents in Gondar Town. Additionally, physical neglect and emotional neglect negatively impact psychological well-being through a indirect effect. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating the prevention and treatment of CM into mental health interventions. Early intervention is crucial to mitigating the long-term psychological consequences of maltreatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ce3eae32c8914658a2f5a18fa50f2a61 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ce3eae32c8914658a2f5a18fa50f2a612025-08-20T04:02:45ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-07-0125111110.1186/s12889-025-23607-1The effect of childhood maltreatment on psychological well-being among public high school and preparatory school students, Northwest Ethiopia: using structural equation modelingAngwach Abrham Asnake0Asefa Adimasu Taddese1Mehari Woldemariam Merid2Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo UniversityAcademy of Wellness and Human Development, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarAbstract Background Childhood Maltreatment (CM) refers to any form of abuse and neglect as such physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, and motional neglect of children below the age of 18 years. It is global public health problem with severe and enduring consequences. Although examining the consequences of CM on psychological well-being can offer valuable insights for the development of targeted interventions, there is a limited body of research both globally and in Ethiopia specifically addressing the impact of each distinct form of CM on psychological well-being. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of of each form of CM on psychological well-being among public high school and preparatory school students in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 18 to May 9, 2023. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 1,276 participants. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to evaluate the direct, indirect, and total effects of CM on psychological well-being. Results Approximately 19.76% (95% CI: 17.57%, 22.09%) of students had low psychological well-being. The most prevalent dimension was a sense of purpose in life, reported by 75.87% (95% CI: 73.38%, 78.23%) of respondents. Emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and overall CM had a direct inverse relationship with psychological well-being, with effect sizes of β = -0.325 (95% CI: -0.535, -0.107), β = -0.396 (95% CI: -0.665, -0.123), and β = -0.872 (95% CI: -1.595, -0.448), respectively. Physical neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect had an indirect inverse relationship with psychological well-being, with effect sizes of β = -0.300 (95% CI: -0.625, -0.159), β = -0.187 (95% CI: -0.362, -0.082), β = -0.281 (95% CI: -0.478, -0.146), and β = -0.240 (95% CI: -0.437, -0.117), respectively. Conclusion This study emphasizes that emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and overall CM directly decrease the psychological well-being of adolescents in Gondar Town. Additionally, physical neglect and emotional neglect negatively impact psychological well-being through a indirect effect. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating the prevention and treatment of CM into mental health interventions. Early intervention is crucial to mitigating the long-term psychological consequences of maltreatment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23607-1Childhood maltreatmentPsychological well-beingStructural equation modelingEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Angwach Abrham Asnake Asefa Adimasu Taddese Mehari Woldemariam Merid The effect of childhood maltreatment on psychological well-being among public high school and preparatory school students, Northwest Ethiopia: using structural equation modeling BMC Public Health Childhood maltreatment Psychological well-being Structural equation modeling Ethiopia |
| title | The effect of childhood maltreatment on psychological well-being among public high school and preparatory school students, Northwest Ethiopia: using structural equation modeling |
| title_full | The effect of childhood maltreatment on psychological well-being among public high school and preparatory school students, Northwest Ethiopia: using structural equation modeling |
| title_fullStr | The effect of childhood maltreatment on psychological well-being among public high school and preparatory school students, Northwest Ethiopia: using structural equation modeling |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of childhood maltreatment on psychological well-being among public high school and preparatory school students, Northwest Ethiopia: using structural equation modeling |
| title_short | The effect of childhood maltreatment on psychological well-being among public high school and preparatory school students, Northwest Ethiopia: using structural equation modeling |
| title_sort | effect of childhood maltreatment on psychological well being among public high school and preparatory school students northwest ethiopia using structural equation modeling |
| topic | Childhood maltreatment Psychological well-being Structural equation modeling Ethiopia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23607-1 |
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