, Indonesia — A team from Universitas Padjadjaran has revealed how maltreatment—such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse—can significantly harm teenagers’ mental health. The study focused on Indonesian adolescents and presents clear evidence that abused youth are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.

Led by Dr. Nita Arisanti from the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, the school-based study surveyed adolescents in West Java, offering one of the few large-scale datasets highlighting the long-term psychological effects of abuse in Indonesian youth. The research used structured questionnaires to assess the correlation between various forms of maltreatment and mental health outcomes among over 1,000 students.

The study found that emotional abuse had the highest correlation with psychological distress. Emotional abuse, often hidden and unreported, includes verbal insults, rejection, and humiliation—experiences that leave deep psychological scars. Physical and sexual abuse were also significantly associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety, underscoring the urgent need for preventive interventions.

“Teenagers are often silenced. Our findings prove we must listen and act early,” said Dr. Arisanti. “Preventing abuse and promoting emotional resilience must be a shared responsibility across families, schools, and policymakers.”

The research team advocates for the development of mental health curricula in schools, safe reporting mechanisms, and family-based education programs. The study also recommends early screening and psychosocial support systems in schools to identify at-risk students and intervene before problems escalate.

This work enhances public health by encouraging trauma-informed practices, promoting resilience in schools, and empowering communities to break cycles of abuse. By focusing on accessible mental health tools and education, it helps build stronger youth support systems that are culturally grounded and locally scalable.

It reflects Unpad’s deep commitment to vulnerable populations and reinforces its role in global health and education conversations through the THE Impact Rankings as it contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).