Adverse childhood experiences and mental health in a low-income setting characterised by silence and taboos: a cross-sectional analysis of hidden trauma in Togolese school-going adolescents (2025)
Cross-sectional analysis reveals high depressive symptoms linked to ACEs in Togolese adolescents, indicating urgent need for psychosocial support systems.
Key Points
High depressive symptoms reached 19.1% among adolescents, emphasizing the mental health crisis in Togo.
Using the Patient Health Questionnaire, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with adverse childhood experiences.
Cross-sectional analysis highlighted the role of mixed-effects regression models to identify mental health conditions post-ACEs.
Addressing cultural taboos and integrating trauma-informed care is crucial to support adolescents' mental health rights.