Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma6 Jul 2026

The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (ptsd) Among Adolescents Aged 15–18 in Western Cape, South Africa

Cebokazi Ngcakani-Mtati¹
Emily Garman¹
Chesney Ward-Smith¹
Katherine Sorsdahl¹
Claire Van Der Westhuizen¹

¹Department of Psychiatry; Centre for Public Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and associated factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among 733 adolescents aged 15–18 years in low-resourced schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. Cross-sectional data from a 2022 survey were analysed using validated measures of mental health and psychosocial variables. Data were drawn from a school-based survey conducted in 2022 among 733 adolescents aged 15–18 years in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Data were collected from 12 schools in collaboration with two nonprofit organisations that provide psychosocial services to learners in the community. Participants completed standardized measures assessing PTSD, depression, anxiety, and related demographic and psychosocial factors. A multiple linear regression model was used to examine associations between demographic and psychological factors and PTSD symptom severity. Most participants (92.6%) reported exposure to at least one traumatic event, with a mean of 4.7 events. The prevalence of clinically significant PTSD symptoms was 31%. Regression analyses identified female gender, anxiety, depression, bullying (victimisation and perpetration), and emotional regulation difficulties as significant predictors of higher PTSD symptoms. Socioeconomic status, social support, self-esteem, substance use, and physical activity were not significant. The findings highlight a high burden of trauma-related distress and the need for integrated adolescent mental health interventions.

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Cite

BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{ngcakanimtati2026prevalence,
  title = {{The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (ptsd) Among Adolescents Aged 15–18 in Western Cape, South Africa}},
  author = {Cebokazi Ngcakani-Mtati and Emily Garman and Chesney Ward-Smith and Katherine Sorsdahl and Claire Van Der Westhuizen},
  journal = {Journal of Child \& Adolescent Trauma},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1007/s40653-026-00941-z},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-026-00941-z},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (ptsd) Among Adolescents Aged 15–18 in Western Cape, South Africa
AU  - Cebokazi Ngcakani-Mtati
AU  - Emily Garman
AU  - Chesney Ward-Smith
AU  - Katherine Sorsdahl
AU  - Claire Van Der Westhuizen
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/06
JO  - Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma
DO  - 10.1007/s40653-026-00941-z
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-026-00941-z
AB  - This study examined the prevalence and associated factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among 733 adolescents aged 15–18 years in low-resourced schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. Cross-sectional data from a 2022 survey were analysed using validated measures of mental health and psychosocial variables. Data were drawn from a school-based survey conducted in 2022 among 733 adolescents aged 15–18 years in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Data were collected from 12 schools in collaboration with two nonprofit organisations that provide psychosocial services to learners in the community. Participants completed standardized measures assessing PTSD, depression, anxiety, and related demographic and psychosocial factors. A multiple linear regression model was used to examine associations between demographic and psychological factors and PTSD symptom severity. Most participants (92.6%) reported exposure to at least one traumatic event, with a mean of 4.7 events. The prevalence of clinically significant PTSD symptoms was 31%. Regression analyses identified female gender, anxiety, depression, bullying (victimisation and perpetration), and emotional regulation difficulties as significant predictors of higher PTSD symptoms. Socioeconomic status, social support, self-esteem, substance use, and physical activity were not significant. The findings highlight a high burden of trauma-related distress and the need for integrated adolescent mental health interventions.
SN  - 1936-1521
SN  - 1936-153X
ER  -

Abstract

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