March 27, 2024

There has been an increased awareness of young people’s mental health due to new pressures in society. such as technological advances, the negative effect of social media on self-esteem, and economic uncertainty. Today’s youth, having to navigate this dynamic landscape, often fall prey to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

In ‘Childhood trauma can lead to mental health issues among young adults: Study’ (The Straits Times, March 2024), Assistant Professor Lee Jungup (NUS Social Work) discusses the mental health in young adults, as well as considering childhood trauma as a trigger for mental health episodes later in life. Asst. Prof. Lee spoke about her study, which is currently under review, at the NUS Social Service Research Centre (SSR) Conference 2024, held on 20 March.

The study found that approximately 75 percent of the sample of 1,000 university students encountered emotional neglect in their childhood. A significant number also recounted experiencing other typical signs of childhood trauma, such as physical neglect and physical abuse. The study uncovered a strong association between the students with negative childhood experiences and their current mental health struggles, with reports of conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Read the article here.