Joseph Ssenyonga1, Charles Magoba Muwonge2, Tobias Hecker3. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, 78567 Konstanz, Germany. Electronic address: joseph.ssenyonga@uni-konstanz.de. 2. Department of Educational Foundations and Psychology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Uganda. Electronic address: charles_muwonge2002@hotmail.co.uk. 3. vivo International, 78340 Konstanz, Germany; Department of Psychology, University of Bielefeld, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany. Electronic address: tobias.hecker@uni-bielefeld.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite global efforts to end violence against children in all settings, reports reveal that violence against children is still highly prevalent, especially in low-and middle- income countries. Violence in childhood is associated with a host of negative outcomes, and exposure in one setting can easily spill over to other contexts. For instance, exposure to family violence was not only related to mental health problems but also seems to be a risk factor for peer victimization. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of maltreatment within the family and adolescents' mental health problems and their relation to peer victimization. We also aimed to gain new insights into the perceptions of adolescents concerning maltreatment within their families. METHODS: Data were collected from April to November 2017 in a representative sample of 702 students from 12 public secondary schools in Southwestern Uganda who responded to self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: Overall, 95% of the students experienced at least one type of family violence in the past month. Students (81.3%) had endorsed some level of acceptance of violent discipline as a valid strategy in response to any misbehavior. Maltreatment within the family was related to peer victimization (β = .47) and this relation was mediated by mental health problems (0.002, 95%-CI: 0.001-0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated a high prevalence of maltreatment within Ugandan families that was associated with peer victimization. This underscores the need to implement interventions aiming to reduce maltreatment and violence in order to protect children from potentially negative consequences.
BACKGROUND: Despite global efforts to end violence against children in all settings, reports reveal that violence against children is still highly prevalent, especially in low-and middle- income countries. Violence in childhood is associated with a host of negative outcomes, and exposure in one setting can easily spill over to other contexts. For instance, exposure to family violence was not only related to mental health problems but also seems to be a risk factor for peer victimization. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of maltreatment within the family and adolescents' mental health problems and their relation to peer victimization. We also aimed to gain new insights into the perceptions of adolescents concerning maltreatment within their families. METHODS: Data were collected from April to November 2017 in a representative sample of 702 students from 12 public secondary schools in Southwestern Uganda who responded to self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: Overall, 95% of the students experienced at least one type of family violence in the past month. Students (81.3%) had endorsed some level of acceptance of violent discipline as a valid strategy in response to any misbehavior. Maltreatment within the family was related to peer victimization (β = .47) and this relation was mediated by mental health problems (0.002, 95%-CI: 0.001-0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated a high prevalence of maltreatment within Ugandan families that was associated with peer victimization. This underscores the need to implement interventions aiming to reduce maltreatment and violence in order to protect children from potentially negative consequences.
Authors: Daise Fernanda Santos Souza Escobar; Thais Ferreira de Jesus; Priscilla Rayanne E Silva Noll; Matias Noll Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-08-20 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Herbert E Ainamani; Roland Weierstall-Pust; Ronald Bahati; Anne Otwine; Sam Tumwesigire; Godfrey Z Rukundo Journal: Eur J Psychotraumatol Date: 2022-01-10