Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Influence on Psychological Distress in Adolescents in Indonesia

This study explores the influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on psychological distress among adolescents in Indonesia. ACEs, which encompass abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, have been shown to affect long-term mental health outcomes significantly. The study involved 924 adolescents aged 12-21, who were assessed using the World Health Organization’s Adverse Childhood Questionnaire (WHO ACE-IQ) and the psychological distress component of the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-38). A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.4755, p < 0.001) was found between ACEs and psychological distress, indicating that higher ACE scores are associated with increased levels of distress. Linear regression analysis revealed that ACEs explain 22.61% of the variability in psychological distress (R² = 0.2261, p < 0.001). These findings highlight the critical role of ACEs in shaping adolescent mental health and emphasize the need for early interventions and culturally tailored mental health services to support adolescents at risk. Understanding the pathways through which ACEs impact psychological distress can inform more effective prevention and intervention strategies.