Status of Childhood Trauma among the Adolescents with Mental Illness : A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Childhood trauma is a major global mental health concern that deeply affects a person’s emotional, behavioral, and social development. Early exposure to abuse or neglect often leads to psychological difficulties in adolescence and adulthood. Adolescents with mental illness are especially vulnerable, as past trauma can worsen emotional instability and social dysfunction. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the status of childhood trauma among adolescents with mental illness, identify the levels and types of trauma across five domains, and examine their associations with socio-demographic factors. Methods: This study followed a quantitative cross-sectional design. A total of 110 adolescents aged 12-18 years diagnosed with mental illness were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected from four mental health institutions : the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), CRP-Rabia Noor Mental Health Day Centre and Pabna Mental Hospital using a structured questionnaire based on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF). Face-to-face interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27. Results: A total of 110 adolescents with mental illness participated in this study. Among them, most were aged between 17–18 years (60.9%), while 39.1% were from the 12-16 years age group. Male participants (59.1%) were slightly higher than females (40.9%). In terms of diagnosis, Bipolar Mood Disorder (27.3%) was the most common, followed by Schizophrenia (20.0%) and Substance Abuse Disorder (12.7%). When looking at childhood trauma, most participants reported experiencing low levels of trauma overall. However, among the different types, emotional neglect appeared to be the most common issue. The mean scores also reflected this pattern, where emotional neglect had the highest mean score (Mean = 2.09, SD = 0.517), while sexual abuse had the lowest (Mean = 1.26, SD = 0.536). Some important relationships were also found. For example, gender and sexual abuse were significantly related (P = 0.002), with female participants reporting higher experiences. Similarly, family type was linked with physical neglect (P = 0.033). Emotional neglect showed significant associations with age, educational status, and parental marital status (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The study concludes that emotional neglect and abuse are common among adolescents with mental illness in Bangladesh, highlighting the urgent need for trauma-informed mental health care. The results can help mental health professionals, occupational therapists and policymakers develop early intervention strategies, promote family counseling, and raise awareness about the long-term effects of childhood trauma to improve adolescent mental health outcomes. Keywords: Adolescents, Mental Illness, Childhood Trauma, Emotional Neglect