Abstract
Mental health is clearly an integral part of health. It is part of an individual’s capacity to lead a happy and fulfilling life. As a form of child maltreatment psychological abuse can have a significant impact upon the mental health. The current study examined the influencing role of psychological abuse on mental health among 211 Keralite undergraduate youth between 18 to 24 years from data collected using Mental Health Inventory and Childhood Experiences of Care and Abuse Questionnaire-2. Results revealed average mental health of youth with no significant gender difference in mental health and in the prevalence of psychological abuse except in its severity from father. Psychological abuse significantly correlated with mental health variables. A 2 way ANOVA showed significant main effect of severe maternal psychological abuse on mental health. Severity of parental psychological abuse significantly predicted poor mental health (18.7% variability). The findings indicate the need for more effective measures to prevent psychological abuse of children.
Highlights
Childhood experiences during the early years set a critical foundation for the entire life
There was no significant gender difference observed in the prevalence of it though severe psychological abuse from father/father figure was more prevalent among male youth
Mental health was significantly correlated with psychological abuse
Summary
Childhood experiences during the early years set a critical foundation for the entire life. Keralite youth experience such maltreatment as it was revealed through several research studies In one of such studies, a cross-sectional, population-based survey among 1668 mothers, aged 18-49, covering rural, urban and coastal areas, Nair, Ramohanan, Remadevi, Nair, Ghosh & Leena (2009) reported use of severe verbal discipline (62%) and severe physical abuse (50%). Childhood Experiences of Care and Abuse Questionnaire-2 (Bifulco, 2005)- Psychological abuse scale: It is a questionnaire version of the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse interview (Bifulco, Brown & Harris, 1994) with acceptable sensitivity and specificity (Bifulco, Bernazzani, Morgan & Jacobs, 2005) It consists of sections on parental loss, parental care (neglect and antipathy), support in childhood, and, physical, psychological and sexual abuse before age 17 in adolescents or adults. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 20 for Windows using descriptive statistics, Correlation, independent sample t test, Chi square test, 2 way ANOVA and Multiple Regression
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
