Factors Contributing to Violence Against Children: Insights From a Multi-informant Study Among Family-Triads From Three East-African Refugee Camps

Abstract

Parental violence poses a considerable, yet mitigable risk for the mental health and well-being of refugee children living in resource-poor refugee camps. However, little is known about potential risk factors for parental violence in these settings. Using an ecological systems perspective and a multi-informant approach, we investigated ontogenic (parental childhood experiences of violence), microsystem (parents’ and children’s psychopathology) and exosystem (families’ monthly household income) risk factors for child-directed parental violence in a sample of 226 Burundian families living in refugee camps in Tanzania. Data were collected through individual structured clinical interviews with mothers, fathers, and children. In the child-report path model [ χ2 (6) = 7.752, p = .257, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.99, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.036 ( p = .562)], children’s posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, externalizing symptoms and paternal PTSD symptoms were positively associated with violence by both parents. Maternal psychosocial impairment was positively associated with child-reported paternal violence. In the parent-report path model [ χ2 (6) = 7.789, p = .254, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.036 ( p = .535)], children’s externalizing problems as well as a lower monthly household income were positively related to maternal violence. Each parent’s childhood victimization was positively linked to their use of violence against children. Maternal psychosocial impairment and paternal alcohol abuse were positively associated with paternal violence. Child and paternal psychopathology, maternal psychosocial impairment, parents’ childhood victimization, and families’ socioeconomic status may be important targets for prevention and intervention approaches aiming to reduce parental violence against refugee children living in camps.

Prevalence of and factors contributing to violent discipline in families and its association with violent discipline by teachers and peer violence

“…Our findings suggested that an increase in children's level of mental health problems is associated with experiencing violence both in families and schools, supporting findings of previous studies (Hecker et al, 2021). In previous studies, children with higher levels of externalising behaviours experienced more violent discipline (Hecker et al, 2021), while those with internalising problems were more likely to fall victim to violence by peers (Ssenyonga, Magoba, et al, 2019; Wandera et al, 2017). Our findings underscore the need for awareness‐raising campaigns in families and school to educate caregivers on children's behavioural problems and developmental challenges as well as the consequences of violent discipline.…”

“…Caregivers' mental health problems were assessed using the Brief Symptom Scale 18 (BSI‐18; Derogatis & Savitz, 2000). The BSI‐18 is a self‐reported screening inventory designed to assess participants' level of psychological distress on three dimensions (somatisation, depression and anxiety) and has been used in settings similar to those of the present study (Hecker et al, 2021; Scharpf et al, 2020). The 18 items are divided equally across the three dimensions and were presented with the standard instructions asking participants to rate how much they have been distressed or bothered in the past month by the given symptom, using a five‐point Likert scale ranging from 0 ( Not at all ) to 4 ( Extremely ).…”

“…In Uganda, children's sex and the number of children in families (Clarke et al, 2016) as well as parents' own experience of violence (Saile et al, 2014) predicted their exposure to severe forms of violent discipline by family members. Hecker and colleagues (Hecker et al, 2021) found children's externalising problems increased their likelihood of being exposed to parental violence. While studies from different areas of the world have established different predictors of violence against children in families, such as caregivers' mental health problems, caregivers' sex, age and level of education (Jansen et al, 2012; Peltonen et al, 2014), studies that linked parental mental health problems, attitude towards violent discipline and parents' own experiences of violence and their use of violent discipline have, to date, focused only on specific samples, such as refugee families (Hecker et al, 2021; Saile et al, 2014) or teachers in the school setting (Masath et al, 2021).…”

How do Climate Change and Environmental Degradation contribute to Violence against Children?

“…: Geprägs et al, 2023;Whipple & Webster-Stratton, 1991). Also, research on non-climate related refugee settlements and camps highlights an increase in parental VAC due to PTSD (Hecker et al, 2022).…”

Understanding why EmpaTeach did not reduce teachers’ use of violence in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp: A quantitative process evaluation of a school-based violence prevention intervention

“…In primary schools these estimates were higher with lifetime prevalence above 80% and past-week prevalence around 50% in some settings [ 10 ]. Official statistics from humanitarian settings are scant, however evidence suggests that the risk of violence to displaced and refugee children may be even higher due to heightened stressors on education service provision and individual teachers [ 11 – 13 ]. Humanitarian crises and displacement are likely to expose individuals and communities to economic strain, hunger, as well as to stress and traumatic events [ 14 , 15 ].…”