Prevalence of family violence and mental health and their relation to peer victimization
Date
2019Author
Ssenyonga, Joseph
Muwonge, Charles Magoba
Hecker, Tobias
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Show full item recordAbstract
Despite global eଏorts 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 victimi-
zation.
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-ad-
ministered 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 (!=.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 interven-
tions aiming to reduce maltreatment and violence in order to protect children from potentially
negative consequences.
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