Adverse Childhood Experiences and Depression among Indonesian University Students

Abstract

The prevalence of mental health problems, including depression, among university students was high. Previous studies showed that adverse childhood experiences was among factors that contribute to the course of depression. Individuals with more adverse childhood experiences had more vulnerability to have depression symptoms in their later life. This study was aimed to describe the adverse childhood experiences and depression among university students and to investigate the role of adverse childhood experiences to depression. Data were collected from 419 students of Diponegoro University. The subjects filled the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlation analysis as well as Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) and odds ratio computation. The result showed that subjects had zero to seven adverse childhood experiences and the average score of depression is 13,22 (SD=6.998). Using cut-off score at 17, the data showed that the prevalence of depression among subjects was 27.7%. Both variables in the study were significantly correlated (Spearman’s rho= .266; p< .0001), supporting previous studies in general population. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) of adverse childhood experiences as predictor of depression was 61.9%. Odds ratio of individuals with minimum one adverse childhood experience was 2.481 (95% CI; 1.602 – 3.843). The result offers an additional understanding to mental health problems, particularly depression, among university student. Further implication of this findings for mental health program in university is discussed.