Background Child maltreatment is a global problem with serious life-long consequences.

Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of child maltreatment including physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect and associated factors in a school-based study among adolescents aged 12 to 18 years in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study, to measure child maltreatment including self-reported physical, emotional abuse and neglect in a school-based random sample of 518 participants. We assessed correlates of child maltreatment including self-esteem and depression.

Results Of 518 participants, the majority (61%) were girls, with a mean age of 14.3 years (STD±1.3). The overall prevalence of child maltreatment was 41.5 (95% CI 37.4–46.2), with 12.7% physical abuse, 34.1% emotional abuse and 12.2% emotional neglect. Participants were more likely to have depression, reporting emotional abuse (adjusted odds [AOR] 2.68, 95% CI: 1.68–4.28), or reporting neglect (AOR 4.24; 95%CI 2.39–7.52). Participants with high scores on Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale were significantly (p<0.001) less likely to report emotional abuse and neglect.

Conclusions Child maltreatment is a significant public health burden in adolescents. Adolescents reporting emotional abuse and neglect are more likely to have low self-esteem and high rates of depression. Study findings indicate the need to develop effective and accessible child abuse prevention program for children and adolescents in UAE.