Prevalence and correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among welfare- and justice-involved adolescents in Nigeria

<b>Background:</b> Childhood maltreatment (CM) is higher among welfare- and justice-involved youth than in those not involved in these systems, which increases the risk of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the mechanisms underlying the link between CM and these two psychiatric conditions are less well understood among at-risk populations in low- and middle-income countries.<b>Objective:</b> This study attempts to fill this gap by examining the prevalence of and risk factors for depression and PTSD among at-risk groups in Nigeria.<b>Method:</b> A cross-sectional research design using multistage sampling was adopted. The sample comprised 205 adolescents: justice-involved [102 (49.8%)] and welfare-involved [103 (50.2%)]. In total, 151 (73.7%) were males, while 54 (26.3%) were females. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and multivariate analysis of variance were applied.<b>Results:</b> The results showed that 66.1% of welfare-involved adolescents and 69.6% of justice-involved adolescents reported PTSD, while 68.9% of welfare-involved adolescents and 75.5% of justice-detained adolescents reported depression. Neglect (OR = 0.253; 95% CI 0.146-0.571; <i>p</i> < .001) and witnessing violence (OR = 0.230; 95% CI 0.114-0.597; <i>p</i> < .004) predicted depression. Emotional abuse (OR = 0.186; 95% CI 0.090-0.80; <i>p</i> < .015), witnessing violence (OR = 0.147; 95% CI 0.014-0.876; <i>p</i> < .043), neglect (OR = 0.187; 95% CI 0.14-0.90; <i>p</i> < .008), and physical abuse (OR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.254-0.937; <i>p</i> < .001) predicted PTSD. Also, PTSD significantly differed based on type of placement (<i>F</i> = 6.08, <i>p</i> < .014, <i>η</i>²= .029), but depression did not differ based on type of placement (<i>F</i> = 2.46, <i>p</i> > .118, <i>η</i>²= .012).<b>Conclusions:</b> CM profiles are risk factors in PTSD and depression among at-risk groups. CM screening should be included in mental health services of out-of-home placements to prevent the cycle of mental health problems and reoffending. Trauma-focused and cognitive-behavioural therapies have the potential to alleviate the suffering of traumatized adolescents.