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Risk and protective factors related to domestic violence against Brazilian adolescents

ABSTRACT:

Objective:

To describe the factors associated with domestic violence against Brazilian adolescents.

Methodology:

Descriptive analysis of the variables and calculation of the prevalence of intrafamily violence reported by the students was performed, followed by multinomial regression with calculation of the adjusted odds ratio to analyze the association between the variables and the outcome investigated.

Results:

Black skin color (ORa = 1.9; 95%CI 1.4 - 2.7) and brown (ORa = 1.4; 95%CI 1.0 - 1.9), insomnia (ORa = 1.8; 95%CI 1.4 - 2.4), bullying (ORa = 2.5; 95%CI 1.7 - 3.7) and alcohol consumption (ORa = 1.5; 95%CI 1.1 - 1.9) increased the chances of adolescents suffering an episode of intrafamily violence. Bullying (ORa = 3.9; 95%CI 2.8 - 5.3) and alcohol consumption (ORa = 2.2; 95%CI 1.7 - 2.7) contributed up to 4 times more not to suffer more than one episode of domestic violence. Habits such as eating with family (ORa = 0.7; 95%CI 0.5 - 1.0) and having parents who understand their problems (ORa = 0.6; 95%CI 0.5 - 0,7) proved to be protective factors for intrafamily violence.

Conclusion:

Intrafamily violence against adolescents is related to family interactions, psychoactive substance use and violence in the school environment. Thus, it reveals the importance of the participation of parents and guardians in the prevention of violence and risk behaviors in the lives of Brazilian adolescents.

Keywords:
Adolescent; Adolescent health; Violence; Domestic violence

RESUMO:

Objetivo:

Descrever os fatores associados à violência intrafamiliar contra os adolescentes brasileiros.

Métodos:

Realizaram-se a análise descritiva das variáveis e o cálculo da prevalência da violência intrafamiliar relatada pelos estudantes, seguidos da regressão multinominal com cálculo da razão de chances ajustada para análise da associação entre as variáveis e o desfecho investigado.

Resultados:

A cor de pele preta (ORa = 1,9; IC95% 1,4 - 2,7) e parda (ORa = 1,4; IC95% 1,0 - 1,9), a insônia (ORa = 1,8; IC95% 1,4 - 2,4), o bullying (ORa = 2,5; IC95% 1,7 - 3,7) e o consumo de bebida alcoólica (ORa = 1,5; IC95% 1,1 - 1,9) aumentaram as chances dos adolescentes sofrerem um episódio de violência intrafamiliar. O bullying (ORa = 3,9; IC95% 2,8 - 5,3) e o consumo de bebida alcoólica (ORa = 2,2; IC95% 1,7 - 2,7) contribuíram com até quatro vezes mais no sofrer em mais de um episódio de violência intrafamiliar. Hábitos como fazer refeição com a família (ORa = 0,7; IC95% 0,5 - 1,0) e ter pais que entendem seus problemas (ORa = 0,6; IC95% 0,5 - 0,7) mostraram-se como fatores protetores para a violência intrafamiliar.

Conclusão:

A violência intrafamiliar contra o adolescente está relacionada às interações familiares, uso de substâncias psicoativas e à violência no ambiente escolar. Assim, revela a importância da participação de pais e responsáveis na prevenção da violência e dos comportamentos de risco na vida dos adolescentes brasileiros.

Palavras-chave:
Adolescente; Saúde do adolescente; Violência; Violência doméstica

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health consider violence a serious public health issue, and children and adolescents are the main victims of all types of violence, especially domestic11. Freitas RJM, Moura NA, Monteiro ARM. Violência contra crianças/adolescentes em sofrimento psíquico e cuidado de enfermagem: reflexões da fenomenologia social. Rev Gaúcha Enferm 2016; 37(1). https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.01.52887
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,22. Rodrigues NCP, O’Dwyer G, Andrade MKN, Flynn MB, Monteiro DLM, Lino VTS. The increase in domestic violence in Brazil from 2009-2014. Ciênc Saúde Colet 2017; 22(9): 2873-80. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017229.09902016
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. The family - understood as a unit of protection and support - is becoming a source of violence and aggression, with one in every ten Brazilian adolescents claiming to have experienced physical abuse by a relative in 201233. Malta DC, Souza ER, Silva MMA, Silva CS, Andreazzi MAR, Crespo C, et al. Vivência de violência entre escolares brasileiros: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE). Ciênc Saúde Colet 2010; 15(Supl. 2): 3053-63. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232010000800010
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,44. Malta DC, Mascarenhas MDM, Dias AR, Prado RR, Lima CM, Silva MMA, et al. Situações de violência vivenciadas por estudantes nas capitais brasileiras e no Distrito Federal: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escola (PeNSE 2012). Rev Bras Epidemiol 2014; 17(Supl. 1): 158-71. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4503201400050013
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. Domestic violence against adolescents can be regarded as acts that jeopardize the well-being and the physical, mental, and social development of the adolescent, inflicted by a family member under different forms of aggression, such as neglect and physical, sexual, and psychological abuse55. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Políticas de Saúde. Violência intrafamiliar: orientações para prática em serviço. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2001..

National and international studies underline the concern with the high prevalence of violence against children and adolescents in the world, indicating the need for interventions in this area66. Hillis S, Mercy J, Amobi A, Kress H. Global prevalence of past-year violence against children: a systematic review and minimum estimates. Pediatrics 2016; 137(3). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-4079
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1542/...
. In 2009, Brazil held the first National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar - PeNSE), with new editions in 2012 and 2015. PeNSE is a survey conducted with 6th to 9th-grade elementary school students (former 5th and 8th grades) and 1st to 3rd-grade high school students that monitors several topics on adolescent health, including domestic violence or abuse, which has grown over the successive editions of PeNSE - 9.5% in 2019, 10.6% in 2012, reaching a prevalence of 14.5% in 201544. Malta DC, Mascarenhas MDM, Dias AR, Prado RR, Lima CM, Silva MMA, et al. Situações de violência vivenciadas por estudantes nas capitais brasileiras e no Distrito Federal: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escola (PeNSE 2012). Rev Bras Epidemiol 2014; 17(Supl. 1): 158-71. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4503201400050013
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.

Given the increasing prevalence of domestic violence against adolescents, their vulnerability, and the gaps in the knowledge related to this event22. Rodrigues NCP, O’Dwyer G, Andrade MKN, Flynn MB, Monteiro DLM, Lino VTS. The increase in domestic violence in Brazil from 2009-2014. Ciênc Saúde Colet 2017; 22(9): 2873-80. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017229.09902016
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
,33. Malta DC, Souza ER, Silva MMA, Silva CS, Andreazzi MAR, Crespo C, et al. Vivência de violência entre escolares brasileiros: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE). Ciênc Saúde Colet 2010; 15(Supl. 2): 3053-63. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232010000800010
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, the present study aimed to analyze the factors associated with domestic violence inflicted against Brazilian adolescents. We expect that studies on this theme might support strategies to break the cycle of domestic violence against adolescents77. Gessner R, Fonseca RMGS, Oliveira RNG. Violência contra adolescentes: uma análise à luz das categorias gênero e geração. Rev Esc Enferm USP 2014; 48(Esp.): 104-10. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-623420140000600015
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,88. Zappe JG, Dell’aglio D. Variáveis pessoais e contextuais associadas a comportamentos de risco em adolescentes. J Bras Psiquiatr 2016; 65(1): 44-52. https://doi.org/10.1590/0047-2085000000102
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,99. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2015. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileira de Geografia e Estatística; 2016..

METHODS

This cross-sectional study analyzed secondary data from Sample 2 of PeNSE 20151010. Oliveira MM, Campos MO, Andreazzi MAR, Malta DC. Características da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar - PeNSE. Epidemiol Serv Saúde [Internet] 2017; 26(3): 605-16. Disponível em: http://scielo.iec.gov.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-49742017000300605&lng=pt. http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/s1679-49742017000300017
http://scielo.iec.gov.br/scielo.php?scri...
,1111. Camey SA, Torman VBL, Hirakata VN, Cortes RX, Vigo A. Viés da razão de chances estimada pela regressão logística multinomial para estimar o risco relativo ou a razão de prevalência e alternativas. Cad Saúde Pública 2014; 30(1): 21-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00077313
https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.159...
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PeNSE 2015 used two samples of adolescents with different sampling plans. The first sample (Sample 1) consisted of students attending the 9th grade of elementary school (former 8th grade) in public and private schools located in urban and rural areas over the national territory in 201599. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2015. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileira de Geografia e Estatística; 2016.. Sample 2 comprised students aged 13 to 17 years who attended the 6th to 9th grade of elementary school (former 5th to 8th grades) and the 1st to 3rd grade of high school in public and private schools over the Brazilian territory99. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2015. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileira de Geografia e Estatística; 2016..

This study analyzed the Sample 2 of PeNSE 2015, which, contrary to Sample 1, allows comparing the distribution by age in each geographic stratum of students aged 13 to 17 years. Sample 2 of PeNSE also allows the identification and monitoring of factors related to the physical-biological development of students and the time of exposure to conditions that pose a risk to their health, in addition to providing a greater possibility of comparison with international indicators99. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2015. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileira de Geografia e Estatística; 2016..

PeNSE used stratified cluster sampling designs for each of the five main Brazilian regions (Northeast, Southeast, South, North, and Midwest), resulting in five strata99. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2015. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileira de Geografia e Estatística; 2016.. We adopted the weight calibration for age and main region to match the estimated total of individuals enrolled and of schools registered in the microdata system of the 2015 School Census99. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2015. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileira de Geografia e Estatística; 2016..

Thus, Sample 2 of PeNSE (n=10,926) comprised students aged 13 to 17 years who attended the 6th to 9th grade of elementary school and the 1st to 3rd grade of high school in public in private schools over the Brazilian territory in 201599. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2015. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileira de Geografia e Estatística; 2016.. The main regions constituted the primary sampling unit (PSU), the secondary sampling units (SSU), and the tertiary sampling units (TSU)1010. Oliveira MM, Campos MO, Andreazzi MAR, Malta DC. Características da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar - PeNSE. Epidemiol Serv Saúde [Internet] 2017; 26(3): 605-16. Disponível em: http://scielo.iec.gov.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-49742017000300605&lng=pt. http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/s1679-49742017000300017
http://scielo.iec.gov.br/scielo.php?scri...
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On smartphones, the students answered the structured self-administered questionnaire based on instruments used in global surveys1010. Oliveira MM, Campos MO, Andreazzi MAR, Malta DC. Características da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar - PeNSE. Epidemiol Serv Saúde [Internet] 2017; 26(3): 605-16. Disponível em: http://scielo.iec.gov.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-49742017000300605&lng=pt. http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/s1679-49742017000300017
http://scielo.iec.gov.br/scielo.php?scri...
. The outcome of experiencing domestic violence was investigated by the question “In the past 30 days, how many times have you been physically abused by an adult from your family?”, categorized into:

  • none;

  • once in the past 30 days;

  • more than once (two or more times in the past 30 days).

The variables that characterized the adolescent victims of domestic violence were divided into four groups according to concept similarity, as follows:

  1. Sociodemographic characteristics:

    • Age: 13 to 15 years and 16 to 17 years;

    • Gender: male and female;

    • Ethnicity: white, black, Asian, multiracial, and indigenous;

    • Maternal schooling: the level of education (degree) of the student’s mother at the time of data collection, classified into four categories - no education/incomplete elementary school, complete elementary school/incomplete high school, complete high school/incomplete higher education, and complete higher education;

    • School: related to its administrative affiliation - public and private;

  2. Mental health:

    • Friends: number of close friends reported by the student, categorized as no (no friend) or yes (one or more friends);

    • Insomnia: the frequency that the student could not sleep at night because they were apprehensive about something, classified as no (never, rarely, and sometimes in the past 12 months) or yes (most of the time, always in the past 12 months);

    • Victim of bullying: the frequency that a classmate ridiculed, mocked, taunted, intimidated, or made fun of the adolescent to the point that they were hurt, upset, angry, insulted, or humiliated, divided into three categories - never, rarely/sometimes, and most of the time/always.

  3. Behavior and lifestyle:

    • Smoking: frequency in days that the student smoked cigarettes in the prior 30 days, categorized into no (no days) and yes (1 to all 30 days);

    • Alcohol consumption: frequency in days that the adolescent drank at least a drink or dose of alcoholic beverage in the previous 30 days, grouped into no (no days) and yes (1 to all 30 days).

  4. Family context:

    • Having meals with the family five or more days per week: the frequency in days that the adolescent usually has lunch or dinner with their mother, father, or guardian, classified as no (never, rarely, 1 to 3 times per week) and yes (5 to 6 times per week or every day);

    • Parents understand their problems: the frequency that parents or guardians understand the problems and concerns of their children, divided into two categories - no (never, rarely) and yes (sometimes, most of the time, always);

    • Family supervision: the frequency that parents or guardians actually know what their child is doing in their free time, categorized into - yes (sometimes, most of the time, always) and no (never, rarely).

We carried out a descriptive analysis and calculated the prevalence of the outcome violence against adolescents inflicted by an adult relative and its respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), according to sociodemographic characteristics, family context, lifestyles, and mental health. Subsequently, we calculated the crude odds ratio (OR) to estimate the relationships between explanatory variables and domestic violence, selecting the variables associated at the p<0.20 level for the multivariate multinomial logistic regression model, which, according to some authors, is the most commonly used to evaluate statistical associations when the outcome of interest has more than two categories1111. Camey SA, Torman VBL, Hirakata VN, Cortes RX, Vigo A. Viés da razão de chances estimada pela regressão logística multinomial para estimar o risco relativo ou a razão de prevalência e alternativas. Cad Saúde Pública 2014; 30(1): 21-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00077313
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In the multivariate analysis, all variables were mutually adjusted, and the adjusted OR (ORa) for the frequency of domestic violence against adolescents was calculated. Only the variables statistically associated (p<0.05) remained in the final model. All analyses considered the sampling structure and post-stratification weights. Data were analyzed with the aid of the survey module of the Stata statistical package, version 13.

The National Research Ethics Committee (Comissão Nacional de Ética em Pesquisa - CONEP) of the National Health Council (NHC) approved PeNSE 2015 under CONEP Opinion99. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2015. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileira de Geografia e Estatística; 2016. no. 1,006,467, on March 30, 2015. The students voluntarily participated in the survey and registered their agreement in the Informed Consent Form (ICF) present in the smartphone. The information refers only to students who agreed to participate in the research. The analyses conducted protected the anonymity of the students and schools99. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2015. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileira de Geografia e Estatística; 2016.. The research followed recommendations from the Brazilian Child and Adolescent Statute, which ensures the autonomy of adolescents in participating in studies aimed at promoting policies to protect their health and that do not pose a risk to them99. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) 2015. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileira de Geografia e Estatística; 2016..

RESULTS

Table 1 shows that the prevalence of adolescents aged 13 to 17 years who reported physical abuse by an adult relative was 13.3%, of which 5.7% (95%CI 5.1 - 6.4) declared having experienced domestic violence once and 7.6% (95%CI 6.7 - 8.5) more than once. Adolescents who experienced more than one episode of domestic violence were aged 13 to 15 years - 8.6% (95%CI 7.6 - 9.6), males - 8.6% (95%CI 7.4 - 10.0), had insomnia - 13% (95%CI 11.0 - 15.0), were victims of bullying - 20% (95%CI 17.0 - 23.0), smoked - 21% (95%CI 17.0 - 26.0), and consumed alcoholic beverages - 12.5% (95%CI 10.8 - 14.4) (Table 1).

Table 1.
Prevalence of adolescents aged 13 to 17 years who reported experiencing domestic violence inflicted by an adult relative, according to sociodemographic characteristics, family context, lifestyle, mental health, and the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey, Brazil, 2015.

After adjusting the multivariate analysis, the students who remained with a higher chance of experiencing domestic violence once were black (ORa = 1.9; 95%CI 1.4 - 2.7) and multiracial adolescents (ORa = 1.4; 95%CI 1.0 - 1.9), those who reported insomnia (ORa = 1.8; 95%CI 1.4 - 2.4), declared being victims of bullying rarely or sometimes (ORa = 1.7; 95%CI 1.4 - 2.1) and most of the time (ORa = 2.5; 95%CI 1.7 - 3.7), and consumed alcoholic beverages (ORa = 1.5; 95%CI 1.1 - 1.9). The participants who remained with less chance of experiencing domestic violence once were those who had meals with their family five or more days per week (ORa = 0.7; 95%CI 0.5 - 1.0), whose parents understand their problems (ORa = 0.6; 95%CI 0.5 - 0.8), and aged 16 to 17 years (ORa = 0.8; 95%CI 0.6 - 1.0) (Table 2).

Table 2.
Adjusted odds ratio of adolescents aged 13 to 17 years who reported experiencing domestic violence, according to sociodemographic variables, family context, lifestyle, mental health, and the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey, Brazil, 2015.

Black adolescents (ORa = 1.5; 95%CI 1.1 - 2.0), those who reported insomnia (ORa = 1.7; 95%CI 1.3 - 2.1), were victims of bullying rarely or sometimes (ORa = 1.5; 95%CI 1.2 - 1.8) and most of the time (ORa = 3.9; 95%CI 2.8 - 5.3), smoked (ORa = 2.2; 95%CI 1.6 - 3.0), and consumed alcoholic beverages (ORa = 2.2; 95%CI 1.7 -2.7) presented higher chances of experiencing domestic violence more than once. Among the individuals with a lower chance of experiencing domestic violence more than once were adolescents who claimed that their parents understand their problems (ORa = 0.6; 95%CI 0.5 - 0.7), had family supervision (ORa = 0.5; 95%CI 0.4 - 0.7), were aged 16 to 17 years (ORa = 0.6; 95%CI 0.5 - 0.8), and whose mothers had completed higher education (ORa = 0.6; 95%CI 0.5 - 0.9) (Table 2).

DISCUSSION

Approximately one-tenth of adolescents reported being physically abused by an adult relative. Among them, about 70% had been victims more than once in the month prior to the survey. PeNSE shows that domestic violence against adolescents was associated with males, the younger age group, black and multiracial ethnicity, insomnia, victims of bullying, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Protective factors for physical abuse against adolescents included parents who understand their children’s problems, family supervision, female gender, age between 16 and 17 years, and having mothers with complete higher education.

The literature suggests that older adolescents, aged 15 to 19 years, are more susceptible to street violence since they spend more time outside the home environment, while younger ones (10 to 14 years) and children are more vulnerable to domestic violence1212. Malta DC, Bernal RTI, Pugedo FSF, Lima CML, Mascarenhas MDM, Jorge AOJ, et al. Violências contra adolescentes nas capitais brasileiras, segundo inquérito em serviços de urgência. Ciênc Saúde Colet 2017; 22(9): 2899-908. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017229.14212017
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. The study corroborates the protective role of the age group 15 to 19 years for domestic violence, even though they are more prone to street violence. In the relations of power and subordination within families, children and younger adolescents are more vulnerable to violent episodes from adults due to their greater physical and emotional fragility1313. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Violência faz mal à saúde. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde ; 2004.,1414. Martins CS, Ferriani MGC, Silva MAI, Zahr NR, Arone KMB, Roque EMST. A dinâmica familiar na visão de pais e filhos envolvidos na violência. Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem 2007; 15(5): 889-94. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692007000500002
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This research showed that female adolescents experienced less domestic violence than male ones. This information contradicts several studies that report that women of all age groups are the main victims of domestic violence1212. Malta DC, Bernal RTI, Pugedo FSF, Lima CML, Mascarenhas MDM, Jorge AOJ, et al. Violências contra adolescentes nas capitais brasileiras, segundo inquérito em serviços de urgência. Ciênc Saúde Colet 2017; 22(9): 2899-908. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017229.14212017
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,1515. Avanci JQ, Assis SG, Deslandes SF, Silveira LMB, Pesce RP, Mata NT. Violência contra a criança e o adolescente. In: Minayo MCS, Assis SG, editores. Novas e velhas faces da violência no século XXI: visão da literatura brasileira do campo da saúde. Rio de Janeiro: Fiocruz; 2017. p. 161-85.. However, some authors point out the influence of gender-related cultural factors on domestic violence and on the relationship between family members, given that violence against women is a multifactorial phenomenon, suggesting that further investigation is necessary in future studies1515. Avanci JQ, Assis SG, Deslandes SF, Silveira LMB, Pesce RP, Mata NT. Violência contra a criança e o adolescente. In: Minayo MCS, Assis SG, editores. Novas e velhas faces da violência no século XXI: visão da literatura brasileira do campo da saúde. Rio de Janeiro: Fiocruz; 2017. p. 161-85.,1616. Leite FMC, Amorim MHC, Wehrmeister FC, Gigante DP. Violência contra a mulher em Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2017 [acessado em 2 mar. 2018]; 51. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102017000100223&lng=en&tlng=en . https://doi.org/10.1590/s1518-8787.2017051006815
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,1717. Silva DG, Dell’aglio D. Violence and subjective well-being in adolescents. Paidéia 2016; 26(65): 299-305. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-43272665201603
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,1818. Silva JMMD, Lima MC, Ludermir AB. Violência por parceiro íntimo e prática educativa materna. Rev Saúde Pública 2017; 51. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1518-8787.2017051006848
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,1919. Tavernier R, Choo SB, Grant K, Adam EK. Daily affective experiences predict objective sleep outcomes among adolescents. J Sleep Res 2016; 25(1): 62-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.12338
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Adolescents whose mothers had completed higher education showed a lower prevalence of domestic violence. Some authors have identified that, in the group of children and adolescents victims of domestic violence, the prevalence of female and less educated aggressors was greater, and higher schooling reduced the chance of violence1515. Avanci JQ, Assis SG, Deslandes SF, Silveira LMB, Pesce RP, Mata NT. Violência contra a criança e o adolescente. In: Minayo MCS, Assis SG, editores. Novas e velhas faces da violência no século XXI: visão da literatura brasileira do campo da saúde. Rio de Janeiro: Fiocruz; 2017. p. 161-85.. In addition, as women with less schooling have no knowledge about the development of children and adolescents and are victims of abuse by their partners, they reproduce punitive educational practices learned in the family and through culture, increasing the prevalence of domestic violence1515. Avanci JQ, Assis SG, Deslandes SF, Silveira LMB, Pesce RP, Mata NT. Violência contra a criança e o adolescente. In: Minayo MCS, Assis SG, editores. Novas e velhas faces da violência no século XXI: visão da literatura brasileira do campo da saúde. Rio de Janeiro: Fiocruz; 2017. p. 161-85.,1818. Silva JMMD, Lima MC, Ludermir AB. Violência por parceiro íntimo e prática educativa materna. Rev Saúde Pública 2017; 51. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1518-8787.2017051006848
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Concerning the mental health characteristics investigated, insomnia or difficulty in sleeping and bullying increased the chances of adolescents experiencing domestic violence once and more than once. A study revealed that daily affective experiences were related to the quality of sleep among adolescents, with sleep deprivation or its reduced duration being contributing factors to the emergence of violent situations in this age group1919. Tavernier R, Choo SB, Grant K, Adam EK. Daily affective experiences predict objective sleep outcomes among adolescents. J Sleep Res 2016; 25(1): 62-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.12338
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/...
. Sleep is also associated with bullying, and some authors indicate that adolescents victims of bullying have a higher chance of insomnia2020. Mello FCM, Malta DC, Prado RR, Farias MS, Alencastro LCS, Silva MAI. Bullying e fatores associados em adolescentes da Região Sudeste segundo a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2016; 19(4): 866-77. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5497201600040015
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. Therefore, the difficulty in sleeping can be a triggering or a resultant factor of violence, since it can affect the emotional state of the adolescent, leaving them incapable of dealing with stressful situations in the family, or reflect the troubled experiences in their routine.

Among the family factors, studies show that the violence experienced by adolescents in the home environment is associated with greater involvement of the student in acts of violence in school, either as victims or aggressors1212. Malta DC, Bernal RTI, Pugedo FSF, Lima CML, Mascarenhas MDM, Jorge AOJ, et al. Violências contra adolescentes nas capitais brasileiras, segundo inquérito em serviços de urgência. Ciênc Saúde Colet 2017; 22(9): 2899-908. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017229.14212017
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
,2020. Mello FCM, Malta DC, Prado RR, Farias MS, Alencastro LCS, Silva MAI. Bullying e fatores associados em adolescentes da Região Sudeste segundo a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2016; 19(4): 866-77. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5497201600040015
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
,2121. Mota RS, Gomes NP, Estrela FM, Silva MA, Santana JD, Campos LM, et al. Prevalência e fatores associados à vivência de violência intrafamiliar por adolescentes escolares. Rev Bras Enferm 2018; 71(3): 1086-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0546
https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.159...
. Victims of bullying are predominantly male, young, black, and their mothers have little or no schooling, revealing the influence of social context on the violence against adolescents2020. Mello FCM, Malta DC, Prado RR, Farias MS, Alencastro LCS, Silva MAI. Bullying e fatores associados em adolescentes da Região Sudeste segundo a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2016; 19(4): 866-77. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5497201600040015
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
,2222. Oliveira WA, Silva MAI, Silva JL, Mello FCM, Prado RR, Malta DC. Associations between the practice of bullying and individual and contextual variables from the aggressors’ perspective. J Pediatr 2016; 92(1): 32-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jped.2015.04.003
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
.

Black ethnicity was associated with episodes of domestic violence experienced by adolescents, corroborating other investigations1515. Avanci JQ, Assis SG, Deslandes SF, Silveira LMB, Pesce RP, Mata NT. Violência contra a criança e o adolescente. In: Minayo MCS, Assis SG, editores. Novas e velhas faces da violência no século XXI: visão da literatura brasileira do campo da saúde. Rio de Janeiro: Fiocruz; 2017. p. 161-85.,2323. Malta DC, Stopa SR, Santos MAS, Andrade SSCA, Oliveira MM, Prado RR, et al. Fatores de risco e proteção de doenças e agravos não transmissíveis em adolescentes segundo raça/cor: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2017; 20(2): 247-59. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5497201700020006
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
. Moreover, some authors point to greater involvement of black adolescents in the regular use of and experimentation with cigarettes and illicit drugs, as well as in physical fights, leading to a greater risk in situations of physical abuse, bullying, and domestic violence2020. Mello FCM, Malta DC, Prado RR, Farias MS, Alencastro LCS, Silva MAI. Bullying e fatores associados em adolescentes da Região Sudeste segundo a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2016; 19(4): 866-77. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5497201600040015
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
,2323. Malta DC, Stopa SR, Santos MAS, Andrade SSCA, Oliveira MM, Prado RR, et al. Fatores de risco e proteção de doenças e agravos não transmissíveis em adolescentes segundo raça/cor: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2017; 20(2): 247-59. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5497201700020006
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
.

Many studies have also indicated the association of smoking and alcohol consumption with domestic violence among adolescents2424. Hallal ALLC, Figueiredo VC, Moura L, Prado RRD, Malta DC. The use of other tobacco products among Brazilian school children (PeNSE 2012). Cad Saúde Pública 2017; 33(Supl. 3): s175-83. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00137215
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
,2525. Tavares MLO, Reinaldo MAS, Villa EA, Henriques BD, Pereira MO. Perfil de adolescentes e vulnerabilidade para o uso de álcool e outras drogas. Rev Enferm 2017; 11(10): 3906-12. https://doi.org/10.5205/reuol.12834-30982-1-SM.1110201727
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5205/...
. On the one hand, the authors identified that adolescents consume alcoholic beverages as a way of relieving the stress and violence experienced in the family environment or coping with these situations2121. Mota RS, Gomes NP, Estrela FM, Silva MA, Santana JD, Campos LM, et al. Prevalência e fatores associados à vivência de violência intrafamiliar por adolescentes escolares. Rev Bras Enferm 2018; 71(3): 1086-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0546
https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.159...
, in addition to being a means of socializing with other adolescents in parties and clubs2626. Malta DC, Mascarenhas MDM, Porto DL, Barreto SM, Morais Neto OL. Exposição ao álcool entre escolares e fatores associados. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2014 [acessado em 5 mar. 2018]; 48(1): 52-62. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102014000100052&lng=en . http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.2014048004563
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...
. On the other hand, the use of licit or illicit drugs brings adolescents closer to situations of violence2525. Tavares MLO, Reinaldo MAS, Villa EA, Henriques BD, Pereira MO. Perfil de adolescentes e vulnerabilidade para o uso de álcool e outras drogas. Rev Enferm 2017; 11(10): 3906-12. https://doi.org/10.5205/reuol.12834-30982-1-SM.1110201727
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5205/...
. In the family environment, the consumption of alcoholic beverages by parents and acquaintances in the presence of the students also contributes to the emergence of domestic violence2727. Barreto SM, Giatti L, Casado L, Moura L, Crespo C, Malta DC. Exposição ao tabagismo entre escolares no Brasil. Ciênc Saúde Colet 2010; 15(Supl. 2): 3027-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232010000800007
https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.159...
,2828. Morais RLGL, Rodrigues VP, Machado JC, Rocha ENR, Vilela ABA, Sales ZN. Violência intrafamiliar contra crianças no contexto da saúde da família. Rev. Enferm UFPE 2016; 10(5): 1645-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.5205/reuol.9003-78704-1-SM.1005201610
https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.520...
,2929. Faial LCM, Silva RMCRA, Pereira ER, Souza LMC, Faial CSG, Cadengo ESN. Vulnerabilidades na adolescência: um campo oportuno para a prática da saúde: revisão integrativa. Rev Enferm UFPE 2016; 10(9): 3473-82. https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v10i9a11430p3473-3482-2016
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5205/...
. Therefore, alcohol consumption among adolescents can be a cause or a consequence of domestic violence, and further studies are necessary to verify its causality with domestic violence in this age group2929. Faial LCM, Silva RMCRA, Pereira ER, Souza LMC, Faial CSG, Cadengo ESN. Vulnerabilidades na adolescência: um campo oportuno para a prática da saúde: revisão integrativa. Rev Enferm UFPE 2016; 10(9): 3473-82. https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v10i9a11430p3473-3482-2016
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5205/...
. Smoking also remained with high odds ratio among adolescents who experienced domestic violence more than once, agreeing with authors who found that domestic violence was one of the factors that increased the chances of students using tobacco products2424. Hallal ALLC, Figueiredo VC, Moura L, Prado RRD, Malta DC. The use of other tobacco products among Brazilian school children (PeNSE 2012). Cad Saúde Pública 2017; 33(Supl. 3): s175-83. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00137215
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
.

According to the family context, the understanding of parents when faced with the problems and concerns of their adolescent children proved to be crucial in preventing various risk situations, including domestic violence. Family situations such as having meals with parents or guardians five or more days per week and parents who understand their children’s problems were factors that decreased the chance of adolescents experiencing domestic violence.

According to the results found in this study, the protective factors for domestic violence are having a good relationship with parents, family habits such as having meals together, and parents knowing what the adolescents do in their free time3030. Andrade ME, Santos IHF, Souza AAM, Silva ACS, Leite TS, Oliveira CCC, et al. Experimentação de substâncias psicoativas por estudantes de escolas públicas. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2017 [acessado em 5 mar. 2018]; 51. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2017051006929
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.11606...
,3131. Malta DC, Porto DL, Melo FCM, Monteiro RA, Sardinha LMV, Lessa BH. Família e proteção ao uso de tabaco, álcool e drogas em adolescentes, Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde dos Escolares. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2011; 14(Supl. 1): 166-77. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-790X2011000500017
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
. Some authors argue that the formation of family ties through shared activities, such as talking and having meals with parents or guardians, reduces health risk behaviors among adolescents3232. Souza AP, Lauda BV, Koller SH. Opiniões e vivências de adolescentes acerca dos direitos ao respeito e privacidade e à proteção contra a violência física no âmbito familiar. Psicol Soc 2014; 26(2): 397-409. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-71822014000200016
https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.159...
. The harmonious coexistence between parents and their adolescent children also contributed to social relations, decreasing the risk of being a victim or perpetrator of bullying2020. Mello FCM, Malta DC, Prado RR, Farias MS, Alencastro LCS, Silva MAI. Bullying e fatores associados em adolescentes da Região Sudeste segundo a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2016; 19(4): 866-77. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5497201600040015
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
,2222. Oliveira WA, Silva MAI, Silva JL, Mello FCM, Prado RR, Malta DC. Associations between the practice of bullying and individual and contextual variables from the aggressors’ perspective. J Pediatr 2016; 92(1): 32-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jped.2015.04.003
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
.

Parental supervision of the activities of their children was associated with a lower chance of experiencing an episode of domestic violence in the month prior to the survey, while its relationship with experiencing it more than once was not significant. Studies show the protective role of parental supervision in preventing harmful habits to the health of adolescents, such as smoking and using other tobacco products, consuming alcoholic beverages, and using drugs, in addition to benefiting the social relation between students2424. Hallal ALLC, Figueiredo VC, Moura L, Prado RRD, Malta DC. The use of other tobacco products among Brazilian school children (PeNSE 2012). Cad Saúde Pública 2017; 33(Supl. 3): s175-83. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00137215
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
,3131. Malta DC, Porto DL, Melo FCM, Monteiro RA, Sardinha LMV, Lessa BH. Família e proteção ao uso de tabaco, álcool e drogas em adolescentes, Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde dos Escolares. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2011; 14(Supl. 1): 166-77. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-790X2011000500017
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
, reducing the risk of being a victim or perpetrator of bullying2020. Mello FCM, Malta DC, Prado RR, Farias MS, Alencastro LCS, Silva MAI. Bullying e fatores associados em adolescentes da Região Sudeste segundo a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2016; 19(4): 866-77. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5497201600040015
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
,2222. Oliveira WA, Silva MAI, Silva JL, Mello FCM, Prado RR, Malta DC. Associations between the practice of bullying and individual and contextual variables from the aggressors’ perspective. J Pediatr 2016; 92(1): 32-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jped.2015.04.003
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
. In contrast, disrespecting the privacy of adolescents contributes to domestic abuse3232. Souza AP, Lauda BV, Koller SH. Opiniões e vivências de adolescentes acerca dos direitos ao respeito e privacidade e à proteção contra a violência física no âmbito familiar. Psicol Soc 2014; 26(2): 397-409. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-71822014000200016
https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.159...
.

Thus, we underline the multicausal nature of domestic violence, as a reflection of the dynamics of the relationship between parents and children, poverty, addiction to alcohol and other drugs, chronic diseases in the family2828. Morais RLGL, Rodrigues VP, Machado JC, Rocha ENR, Vilela ABA, Sales ZN. Violência intrafamiliar contra crianças no contexto da saúde da família. Rev. Enferm UFPE 2016; 10(5): 1645-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.5205/reuol.9003-78704-1-SM.1005201610
https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.520...
, low household income, low schooling, among other factors. These factors can also harm the psychosocial development of adolescents, contributing to the creation of a tense and stressful environment for adolescents and their families88. Zappe JG, Dell’aglio D. Variáveis pessoais e contextuais associadas a comportamentos de risco em adolescentes. J Bras Psiquiatr 2016; 65(1): 44-52. https://doi.org/10.1590/0047-2085000000102
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1590/...
.

Domestic violence against adolescents is related to social inequality, psychoactive substance use, and violence in the school environment. Bullying, smoking, and alcohol consumption increase the chance of adolescents experiencing an episode of domestic violence, while having more involved parents who understand their children’s problems and know what they do in their free time reduces it. Consequently, reducing social and ethnic inequalities and investing in financial, social, and structural resources that foster harmonious family relationships can break the cycle of violence, providing better living conditions to the adolescent.

Since this study has a cross-sectional design, the results have limitations related to causality, showing only the existence of an association between these phenomena. In addition, the question included in the PeNSE questionnaire about domestic violence did not allow us to identify the aggressor and distinguish between the various forms of abuse experienced by the adolescent, be it moral, sexual, or psychological, that could interfere with the results presented herein.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Deborah Carvalho Malta thanks the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq) for the Research Productivity scholarship; and Ísis Eloah Machado thanks CNPq for the Junior Postdoctoral fellowship.

REFERÊNCIAS

  • Financial support: Health Surveillance Secretariat. Ministry of Health. TED 66/2018

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    03 July 2020
  • Date of issue
    2020

History

  • Received
    22 Oct 2019
  • Reviewed
    09 Jan 2020
  • Accepted
    27 Jan 2020
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