Prevalence and Predictors of Violence Victimization and Violent Behavior among Youths: A Population-Based Study in Serbia

Abstract

The study identifies the prevalence of violence victimization and the perpetration among youths, and explores the determinants and predictors using a socio-ecological model. The data of 36 variables from a representative sample of 1722 persons, ages 15–24 years, from the National Health Survey of Serbia in 2013, were analyzed by a multivariate logistic regression modeling. The study shows that 13.4% of youths experienced multi-victimization, while 10.4% were perpetrators of violence. Up to one-third of the victims were violence perpetrators. A small percentage of victims seek family and community support. Predictors of violence among youths were: male sex, households with fewer members, urban settlements, violence perpetration, self-assessed health as poor, lack of close friends and perception that it was difficult to obtain the assistance needed. Predictors of youth violence highlighted the need to improve health education, social support and community regulations, as well as strengthen the promotion of gender equality and a healthy environment.

Assessing Related Factors of Intention to Perpetrate Dating Violence among University Students Using the Theory of Planned Behavior

“…Two measurements were used in this study: general information (e.g., gender, age, year of study in university, current dating partner, and love experience) and the 26-item Dating Violence Behavioral Intention Questionnaire (DVBIQ) composed of four subscales: attitude 7, subjective norm (8), perceived behavioral control (10), and intention (1). The questionnaire was constructed as follows:…”

“…The inconsistent result may be due to the misconception of DV (e.g., acts of controlling a partner due to jealousy), gender stereotypes [24,26], and lack of education of DV among youth. It is necessary to verify this hypothesis and add other variables (e.g., personality traits, social support) [10,64] to this model to increase explained variance in future research. The results were a reminder that attitudes toward DV and perceived behavioral control should be considered the critical factors in the design of prevention programs targeting DV among university students.…”

“…Only 40 (14.9%) of the participants responded with uncertainty of intention to be violent towards their dating partners; 10.4% were perpetrators of violence among youths during the previous 12 months in a population-based study in Serbia. However, 62.4% of participants had perpetrated violence (psychological violence: 60.6%; physical violence: 24.3%; sexual violence: 6.7%) towards their dating partners during the past year among college students nationwide in Taiwan [3,10]. The reason of low reporting may be due to the shorter investigation period of intention to perpetrate DV (one month) compared with other studies, which sought the DV behavior during one year [3,10].…”

“…However, 62.4% of participants had perpetrated violence (psychological violence: 60.6%; physical violence: 24.3%; sexual violence: 6.7%) towards their dating partners during the past year among college students nationwide in Taiwan [3,10]. The reason of low reporting may be due to the shorter investigation period of intention to perpetrate DV (one month) compared with other studies, which sought the DV behavior during one year [3,10]. Evidence showed that the validity of self-reported DV ranges from low to high, depending on the time duration, the type of DV, and gender [3,9].…”

“…Though females disclosed higher levels of battering than males [6], suicide attempts among male victims of sexual DV were greater than those of female victims [7]. Most victims undergo multiple forms of violence [8][9][10], but they seldom seek help [3]. Moreover, DV has been proven to cause serious short-and long-term negative consequences to individuals, such as physical injury [11], suicide idea or behavior [12], and homicide [13].…”