Emotional violence in childhood and health conditions, risk-taking behaviors, and violence perpetration among young adults in Nigeria

Background: Globally, over 1 billion children are victims of violence against children annually. Studies examining the health consequences of childhood violence have mostly focused on childhood physical violence (PV) and sexual violence (SV). Recent evidence suggests that childhood emotional violence (EV) may also be deleterious to the health and wellbeing of victims. Objective: This study examines the independent association between EV and some health conditions, risk taking behaviors, and violence perpetration among Nigerian young adults ages 18-24 years. Participants and setting: Data from 2014 Nigeria Violence Against Children Survey (n = 4,203), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of individuals ages 13-24 were used. Methods: Childhood EV was defined as EV victimization before age 18 perpetrated by a parent, adult caregiver or other adult relative. Logistic regression analyses assessed the association between EV in childhood and mental distress in the past 30 days, ever self-harm behaviors and history of sexually transmitted infections; risk behaviors such as having multiple sex partners in the past 12 months; and ever violence perpetration. Results: After controlling for study covariates, EV in childhood was associated with mental distress in both males and females, and self-harm behaviors in females; excessive alcohol use and infrequent condom use in males, and multiple sexual partners in females; and PV perpetration in males and SV perpetration in females. Conclusion: EV in childhood is associated with some health conditions, risk taking behaviors, and violence perpetration. Implementing programs that address all forms of violence in childhood, including EV may benefit children.