The Long-Term Perceived Effect of Childhood Trauma on Youth’s Mental Health and Wellbeing

This study examined the long-term perceived effect of childhood trauma on youth’s mental health and wellbeing. A total of 259 participants were selected from Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI) Ikere Ekiti and data for the study were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. The study was an Ex-post facto research design of survey type. The hypotheses were tested using independent samples’ t-test, Regression analysis and One-way ANOVA. The study showed that childhood trauma does not statistically significantly affect mental health of the participants (t (257) =-.031, P>.05). This study also found out that childhood trauma affects the psychological domain of wellbeing (β=-.22, t=-.3.67 p<.01), but does not significantly predict physical well (β=-.02, t=-.26 p>.05) and overall wellbeing (β=-.039, p>.05). It was also found out that there is a significant sex difference in the wellbeing of participants with females scoring higher in wellbeing (M=76.04) than males (M=70.35), but no significant sex difference was reported in mental health (t (357) =-.15, p>.05). This study also showed that there is no significant age difference in mental health (F (3, 255) =1.504, p>.05) and wellbeing (F (3, 255) =1.711, p>.05). Findings were discussed in line with existing literature and the need to properly differentiate between various types of trauma while examining the effect of childhood trauma on mental health was recommended, so as to explore their specific impact on mental health.