The Experience of Abuse and Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents in a Post-Conflict Setting: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to explore the relationship between the experience of abuse and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in a post-conflict setting while controlling for perceived support and individual background factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the post-conflict setting of Borama, Somaliland. A total of 645 adolescents that attended upper primary and lower secondary schools were included. The exposure variables were (a) experience of physical abuse, (b) experience of psychological abuse, and (c) experience of either or both forms of abuse. The outcome was depressive symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Physical and psychological abuse were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms (B = 2.74, p < 0.001 and B = 1.62, p < 0.001, respectively). The girls had higher levels of depressive symptoms than the boys (B = 0.71, p = 0.004). Moreover, a greater age was associated with higher levels of symptoms (B = 0.17, p = 0.033). Higher social support levels were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms (B = −0.08, p = 0.001). Our findings suggest that interventions providing social support to adolescents who experience abuse may be beneficial in reducing depressive symptoms.