Mediating Role of Adverse Childhood Experience on the Association Between Neighborhood Factors and Sexual Violence Among University Students in Nigeria

Sexual violence and childhood abuse are two interrelated issues of social and public health concern. Objective: To examine the concurrent mediating roles of childhood abuse (CAS) and neglect (CNS) on the relationship between neighborhood factors (NHS) and adulthood sexual violence (ASV) among university students in Nigeria. Participant and Setting: Data was collected using a cross-sectional survey from 306 university students in a public university in Nigeria. The structural equation model was used to explore the complex relationship between neighborhood characteristics and adulthood sexual violence via childhood abuse and neglect. NHS had a negative direct relationship with childhood abuse (CAS; p < 0.05) and experience of sexual violence in adulthood (ASV; p < 0.05). However, it was positively associated with childhood neglect (p < 0.05). Understanding the socio-environmental context and history of childhood abuse and neglect is critical for effective policy intervention and sexual violence prevention in adulthood.