Child and Adolescent Victimization and Mental Health Associations: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Mexico.

Abstract

Child and adolescent victimization is a significant public health concern with profound effects on development and mental health. However, evidence from Mexico remains limited, particularly in hospital settings. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of past-year and lifetime victimization among children and adolescents with chronic diseases and to examine its association with mental health outcomes. In this cross-sectional study, children and adolescents aged 6-17 years attending a tertiary care center in Mexico City between February 2022 and January 2024 completed the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ), and their parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6-18). Associations between victimization and psychopathology were examined using regression models adjusted for demographic and family characteristics. Of 496 participants (mean age = 11.2 years; 57.3% female), 65.3% reported at least one victimization in the past year. Risk factors for experiencing ≥3 victimizations included residence in highly impoverished states (OR: 2.96, 95% CI [1.06, 8.20]), maternal adolescent pregnancy (OR: 3.81, [1.06, 13.6]), and parental non-cohabitation (OR: 1.59, [1.00, 2.53]). CBCL scores in the clinical range were identified in 52.2% of participants. A consistent gradient was observed, with higher total CBCL scores corresponding to a greater number of past-year and lifetime victimization types experienced. Victimization among Mexican children and adolescents living with chronic diseases is highly prevalent and strongly associated with psychopathology. Hospitals may play a critical role in addressing this issue, underscoring the need for systematic screening and interprofessional, family-centered interventions within pediatric care.