The Associations Observed between Experiencing Multiple Traumatic Events and Mental Health Symptoms among Adolescents in Trinidad

Abstract

The current study examined the associations between experiencing multiple traumatic events and certain mental health symptoms among adolescents in Trinidad. A cross-sectional design was used in its investigation of 420 adolescents of Indo- and Afro-Trinidadian descent and utilized the Traumatic Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC). Pearson's Correlation, Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and Regression analyses were carried out. Significant findings were observed for multiple traumatic experiences, age and gender as they relate to anxiety, anger, depression and post-traumatic stress. The findings of the study suggest that multiple traumatic experiences are associated with a range of mental health sequelae in adolescents. Also, the younger adolescents had higher psychological symptom presentation than the older adolescents. Additionally, it was the females who demonstrated greater psychological distress than the males. This study has important implications that may assist health educators in the formulation of treatment programs within the school setting.

Keywords:

• adolescents
• anxiety
• anger
• depression
• post-traumatic stress
• Trinidad

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Tischanna Jones, Adana Warner, Ayanna Alexander, and Wendy Providence who greatly assisted in the data collection.