Childhood maltreatment and subsequent depressive symptoms: a prospective study of the sequential mediating role of self-esteem and internalizing/externalizing problems.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Depression among adolescents is a seriously disabling public health problem with an extremely high prevalence. Identifying risk factors of depression at an early stage is important to reduce the disease burden. Childhood maltreatment (CM) is one of the major risk factors for depression. The key mediating processes that how CM affects the development of depression, however, still need further clarification. The present study tested the mediating effect of self-esteem, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems between CM and depressive symptoms. Potential sex differences in the foregoing associations were also explored.

Methods

A three-wave longitudinal study was carried out among 1,957 middle and high school students from 69 classes in 10 public schools in

SUBMITTER: Li W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10026476 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature