Ethnic Violence Among Adolescents in Educational Settings: A Systematic Review

Abstract

As ethnic diversity increases in schools, it"s vital to understand the dynamics of ethnic violence, which can negatively impact student well-being and academic achievement. Addressing the issue requires recognizing the complexities of ethnic diversity, promoting inclusivity, and implementing targeted interventions to prevent and mitigate violence. This systematic review focuses on understanding the multiple levels of factors that contribute to ethnic violence among adolescents within school settings. This is a systematic review of articles published between 1990 and the end of 2023 using the keywords race/ethnic minority, adolescent, ethnic and racial minorities, school, and violence in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. And the main entry criteria were articles that dealt with the issue of ethnic violence, and their target population was teenagers of different ethnicities who were studying in educational environments. We identified key determinants at the student, classroom, and school levels. At the student level, immigrant status, gender, and academic performance were significant factors, with immigrants and first-generation boys more involved in violence. Classroom-level factors included the ethnic composition of the classroom, where increased diversity sometimes exacerbated tensions. At the school level, school size, security measures, and the presence of gangs influenced the prevalence of ethnic violence. The consequences of ethnic violence are profound, resulting in physical harm, psychological harm, reduced academic achievement, and long-term health problems. This violence also undermines social cohesion and economic development by perpetuating cycles of fear, mistrust, and social isolation. This review shows that ethnic violence in schools is shaped by a range of student-, classroom-, and school-level factors. In particular, immigrant generation, low SES, classroom diversity without integration, and school-level prejudice or gang presence are pivotal drivers. Multilevel interventions are required to support first-generation adolescents, manage classroom diversity, and implement anti-gang school policies.

Keywords: Adolescent; Ethnic and racial minorities; School; Type of ethnic/race minority; Violence.