Impact of Abuse on Mental Health and Happiness Among Students: Mediating Role of Family Environment

Background: Child abuse and neglect is an issue of concern for public health professionals. The impact of abuse may lead to poor physical and mental health conditions. Family environment may impact coping and recovery among victims of abuse. The association between child abuse, mental health, happiness, and family environment is complex. The study examines the association and pathways between child abuse exposure, mental health and happiness, while exploring the potentially mediating effect of the family environment. Methods: Data were collected from 571 high school students from Kerala, India, by using various tools, including a semi-structured questionnaire, Depression and Anxiety Youth Scale, and happiness scale. A mediation analysis using structural equation modeling (SEM) was carried out to test the objectives of the study. Results: The analysis shows that mental health, happiness, and family environment are correlated with abuse experience. The mediation analysis further shows that the indirect effect of abuse on mental health via the family environment was significant (β = 0.013, 95% CI [0.002, 0.033]). The indirect effect of abuse on happiness via the family environment was significant (β = –0.019, 95% CI [–0.044, –0.003]). Furthermore, the total effect of abuse on mental health (β = 0.266, 95% CI [0.164, 0.354]) and abuse on happiness (β = –0.152, 95% CI [–0.259, –0.050]) was significant. Conclusion: The study reveals that abuse experiences impact happiness and mental health outcomes among students. The family environment mediates the relationship between child abuse and mental health, and between child abuse and happiness.