engleski

Differences between children according their involvement in peer violence in children's homes

There is a lack of studies of peer violence in the context of institutional placement for children (i. e. children’s homes). The aim of this research was to study the contribution of individual and environmental predictors to the experiences of different types of peer violence in children’s homes in Croatia. Regarding the type of involvement in violent peer behaviour, children were categorized as: victims, perpetrators, victims-perpetrators and not- engaged. In this research, a statistical criterion was used to divide children in these four groups. The sample included 150 children aged from 11 to 18. The research was conducted in 14 state children’s homes in Croatia. The special focus was given to all relevant ethical issues that secured the confidentiality of information gathered as well as informed and voluntary participation of every child in the study. The questionnaire used in this study consisted of five instruments examining socio- demographic data, perpetrated and experienced peer violence, psycho-social climate of children’s homes, various aspects of self- description (general, social functioning, relationship with peers, emotional stability, honesty/trustworthiness and self-description in school context) and perceived social support. Discriminant analysis was conducted and the results showed that the violence among children in children’s homes in Croatia was more often experienced by girls with better school performance and who resided in institutions longer than other children, while older children with worse school performance perpetrated violence most often. Children who were categorized as victims of violence showed higher results on scale of honesty and trustworthiness than perpetrators who showed lower results on the same scale. Also, the children in category of perpetrators perceived more instrumental support than the children who were not engaged in violent behaviours. Unexpectedly, the results showed that children who didn't participate in violent behaviour (category not-engaged) had worse perception of psycho-social climate in the children’s homes than children who participated in violent behaviour either as victims, perpetrators or victim-perpetrators. Practical implications of these results will be discussed further in the presentation.

peer violence ; children homes

nije evidentirano