ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AS PREDICTOR OF DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR IN WOMEN

This research was conducted to find out adverse childhood experiences as predictor of depression and suicidal behavior in women, to find out relationship between adverse childhood experiences depression and suicidal behavior, explore that which Adverse Childhood Experience are more common in these women. A correlational research design was used. 300 women who had depression with suicidal attempts were taken from the psychiatry departments of different government hospitals of the Lahore. The age range of women was between 19 to 40 years. Both married and unmarried women were taken for the study. Demographic form, Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory were used. Results showed that Adverse Childhood Experiences predict depression and suicidal behavior, and it also indicated strong association between adverse childhood experiences, depression and suicidal behavior in women. Physical, emotional, verbal abuse and physical neglect were more common in women who had depression and suicidal attempts. Childhood adversities are predictors of depression in women with suicidal behavior and these adverse experiences are strongly associated with depression and suicidal attempts in Pakistani women. Parents do not give proper attention to their children. Majority of children had to face a variety of problems in their childhood. Proper mental health facilities are not available in Pakistan. It is required to give proper attention in this area to save our women from these problems. Keywords: Adverse, experiences, correlational, emotional abuse, physical neglect, suicidal behavior, mental health.