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. 2020 Apr;65(3):357-366.
doi: 10.1007/s00038-020-01340-3. Epub 2020 Feb 18.

Violence exposure and young people's vulnerability, mental and physical health

Andrew Clarke  1   2 , Philippa Olive  3 , Naseerah Akooji  4 , Karen Whittaker  3
Affiliations

Violence exposure and young people's vulnerability, mental and physical health

Andrew Clarke et al. Int J Public Health. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Objectives: To analyse the impact of being affected by domestic and/or relationship violence in early adolescence on indicators of health and well-being.

Methods: Secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional survey of 13-14 year-old pupils attending schools in north-west England, with variables relating to vulnerability, violence and mental and physical health, was performed. The sample of 9626 represented 71% of the eligible population. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression were used to analyse demographic exposure to violence and outcomes.

Results: Pupils affected by domestic and/or relationship violence had significantly worse outcomes and experiences than non-affected peers. Odds ratios demonstrated higher risks of being lonely, being bullied or having deliberately self-harmed. They were also more likely to report an enduring health condition, poorer health practices and worse access to and experiences of health services.

Conclusions: Exposure to violence in domestic and/or relationships is detrimental to children and young people's mental and physical health and vulnerability. Health risks and inequalities reported by CYP in this study provide compelling intelligence for renewed strategic policy-level consideration in the design and delivery of young peoples' health services.

Keywords: Adolescence; Domestic violence; Health; Relationship violence; Well-being; Young people.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Comment in

  • Domestic violence and COVID-19 in Colombia.
    Ortega Pacheco YJ, Martínez Rudas M. Ortega Pacheco YJ, et al. Psychiatry Res. 2021 Jun;300:113925. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113925. Epub 2021 Apr 4. Psychiatry Res. 2021. PMID: 33845249 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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