Violent behaviour among adolescents in Iceland: a national survey (original) (raw)

Trends in the Perpetration of Physical Aggression among Norwegian Adolescents 2007-2015

Journal of youth and adolescence, 2017

Most research on trends in physical aggression has shown declining levels among adolescents during the past two decades. However, few studies have attempted to explain such time trends. Based on two representative cross-sectional surveys of students in the final year of high school in 2007 (N = 6631; 58.8% girls) and 2015 (N = 4145; 60.3% girls), this study reports a substantial decline in physical aggression among Norwegian adolescents. Moreover, mediation analyses show that declining levels in problematic alcohol use and family violence during the same period are plausible explanations for some of this reduction. The results are discussed in light of contemporary changes in socialization of adolescents, and implications for violence prevention are presented.

A Cross-national Study of Violence-Related Behaviors in Adolescents

Archives of Pediatrics …, 2004

Background: Violent behavior among adolescents is a significant problem worldwide, and a cross-national comparison of adolescent violent behaviors can provide information about the development and pattern of physical violence in young adolescents.

Violence in adolescents: social and behavioural factors

Gaceta Sanitaria, 2010

To estimate the prevalence of young people's involvement in violence measured as participation in physical fights or being physically, sexually or emotionally abused. We also aimed to understand the role of social, demographic and other behavioural characteristics in violence. Methods: We evaluated 7511 adolescents (4243 girls and 3268 boys) aged 15 to 19 years old, enrolled in public schools. Information was obtained using an anonymous, self-administrated questionnaire. Results: The most frequently reported type of violence was emotional abuse (15.6%). Boys reported greater involvement in fights (3.6 vs. 13.6%, po0.001) and physical abuse (7.5 vs. 19.5%, po0.001). The prevalence of emotional abuse (16.2 vs. 14.8%, p ¼ 0.082) and sexual abuse (2.0 vs. 1.8%, p ¼ 0.435) was similar in girls and boys. After adjustment, increasing age decreased the odds of being involved in fights in both genders but increased the odds of emotional abuse. Living in a rented home was associated with physical abuse in girls (odds ratio [OR]: 1.4; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.0-1.9) and boys (OR: 1.6; 95%CI: 1.2-2.0). In girls the odds of being emotionally abused increased with greater parental education. Smoking and cannabis use were associated with all types of violence in both genders. Conclusions: The most frequently reported form of violence was emotional abuse. We found differences by gender, with boys reporting more physical abuse and involvement in fights. Adolescents whose parents had a higher educational level reported more physical and emotional abuse, which may be related to differences in the perception of abuse.

Parental violence and adolescent mental health

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2010

Being the target of parental violent acts decreases child adjustment and increases the likelihood of mental health problems in childhood and adolescence. Our study analyzes how different types of parental violence ranging from verbal threats and swearing to hitting and kicking a child, are associated with child adjustment, indicated by SDQ total problem score, internalizing and externalizing problems as well as prosocial behaviour. We also study whether girls and boys and youths in two Nordic countries respond differently to parental violence. The data consists of a large-scale community sample of 15-16 year old Finnish (n=5,762) and Danish (n=3,943) adolescents. The representative data of continental Finland and its Finnish and Swedish speaking 9th graders as well as representative data of Danish 9 th grade pupils was collected by the Police College of Finland and in Denmark by the National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark. The results show a clear dose-response effect between parental violent behaviour and the adolescent's problems. The more severe forms of parental violence were associated with higher levels of SDQ total difficulties and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. There was also a connection between parental violence and the deterioration of prosocial behaviour. The association was gender and nationality specific. The findings imply a high prevalence of parental violence and adverse mental health among the affected Finnish and Danish adolescents. Though the laws have been set in motion to prevent the use of parental physical violence the challenges remain in several domains of child protection, general health care, prevention and intervention.

Depression and Violence in Adolescence and Young Adults: Findings From Three Longitudinal Cohorts

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2017

Despite recent research demonstrating associations between violence and depression in adults, links in adolescents are uncertain. This study aims to assess the longitudinal associations between young people's depression and later violent outcomes. We used data from three cohorts with different measurements of depression exposures and subsequent violent outcomes. In a Dutch community cohort Research on Adolescent Development And Relationships (RADAR; N = 623) and a population-based British birth cohort Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC; N = 4,030), we examined the longitudinal links between adolescent depressive symptoms and violent behaviors from age 13 to 17 years. In a total Finnish birth cohort (FBC 1987; N = 57,526), we estimated risk of violent convictions in individuals clinically diagnosed with depression from age 15 to 27 years. During a mean follow-up period of 4 years, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of violent behaviors per unit of increase in depr...

Risk factors for violence and violence-related injuries among 14- to 18-year-old Finns

Journal of Adolescent Health, 2006

A random sample of 14-to 18-year-old Finns (3319 boys, 3890 girls) were sent a questionnaire on the occurrence of violence and violence-related injury. Altogether, 76% responded. Weekly stress symptoms, depressive mood, smoking, drunkenness, peer drug use, previous unintentional injury, and not living with both parents predicted both incidents.