The long shadow of accumulating adverse childhood experiences on mental health in the United Arab Emirates: implications for policy and practice

Anthony Murphy; Dawn England; Iffat Elbarazi; Neal Horen; Toby Long; Zeina Ismail-Allouche; Cairo Arafat

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1397012

The long shadow of accumulating adverse childhood experiences on mental health in the United Arab Emirates: implications for policy and practice

Anthony Murphy^*, Dawn England, Iffat Elbarazi, Neal Horen, Toby Long, Zeina Ismail-Allouche, Cairo Arafat

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Introduction: This study investigates the cumulative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult depression, anxiety, and stress in Abu Dhabi, controlling for demographic factors, lifestyle, and known health and mental health diagnoses.

Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional design and self-report measures, the research aims to fill a critical gap in understanding the specific impacts of ACEs in the UAE. Based on a multi-site, cross-sectional community sample of 697 residents of Abu Dhabi.

Results: The findings reveal significant variances in current screening values for depression, anxiety, and stress attributable to ACEs after controlling for demographic factors, lifestyle risk factors, and adult diagnoses of health and mental health conditions.

Discussion: The results underline the lifelong impact of ACEs and reinforce the importance of early identification and intervention. In particular, the implications for policy and practice in understanding and mitigating ACEs long-term effects on mental health are considered.

Original language	English
Article number	1397012
Number of pages	12
Journal	Frontiers in public health
Volume	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1397012
Publication status	Published - 19 Jul 2024

Keywords

child abuse
child neglect
adverse childhood experiences
United Arab Emirates
adult outcomes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Cite this

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title = "The long shadow of accumulating adverse childhood experiences on mental health in the United Arab Emirates: implications for policy and practice",

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T2 - implications for policy and practice

AU - Murphy, Anthony

AU - England, Dawn

AU - Elbarazi, Iffat

AU - Horen, Neal

AU - Long, Toby

AU - Ismail-Allouche, Zeina

AU - Arafat, Cairo

PY - 2024/7/19

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N2 - Introduction: This study investigates the cumulative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult depression, anxiety, and stress in Abu Dhabi, controlling for demographic factors, lifestyle, and known health and mental health diagnoses.Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional design and self-report measures, the research aims to fill a critical gap in understanding the specific impacts of ACEs in the UAE. Based on a multi-site, cross-sectional community sample of 697 residents of Abu Dhabi.Results: The findings reveal significant variances in current screening values for depression, anxiety, and stress attributable to ACEs after controlling for demographic factors, lifestyle risk factors, and adult diagnoses of health and mental health conditions.Discussion: The results underline the lifelong impact of ACEs and reinforce the importance of early identification and intervention. In particular, the implications for policy and practice in understanding and mitigating ACEs long-term effects on mental health are considered.

AB - Introduction: This study investigates the cumulative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult depression, anxiety, and stress in Abu Dhabi, controlling for demographic factors, lifestyle, and known health and mental health diagnoses.Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional design and self-report measures, the research aims to fill a critical gap in understanding the specific impacts of ACEs in the UAE. Based on a multi-site, cross-sectional community sample of 697 residents of Abu Dhabi.Results: The findings reveal significant variances in current screening values for depression, anxiety, and stress attributable to ACEs after controlling for demographic factors, lifestyle risk factors, and adult diagnoses of health and mental health conditions.Discussion: The results underline the lifelong impact of ACEs and reinforce the importance of early identification and intervention. In particular, the implications for policy and practice in understanding and mitigating ACEs long-term effects on mental health are considered.

KW - child abuse

KW - child neglect

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