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- Korkmaz, Sibel, 1987-
(författare)
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Youth Intimate Partner Violence in Sweden : Prevalence and Young People’s Experiences of Violence and Abuse in Romantic Relationships
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Swedish studies on intimate partner violence (IPV) among young people are virtually non-existent, and the European research field on this phenomenon has not been specifically overviewed. This thesis aims to review European research on youth IPV, investigate the extent and characteristics of youth IPV victimization in a sample of Swedish high school students, and explore the dynamics of this victimization.The dissertation consists of four sub-studies employing different kinds of methods and using different sets of data. Analyses are underpinned by a rather extensive theoretical framework, permitting an examination of youth IPV from different perspectives and angles.Study I gives an overview of existing European research, pointing out trends and challenges within the field and providing a frame of reference for the Swedish study. One conclusion of this overview is that an intersectional approach is needed when researching violence among youth, and that gender, especially, is a key variable to explore in research on youth IPV.Study II presents IPV prevalence rates in a regional sample of Swedish young people. Drawing upon survey data, the study shows that over half of participating youth reported experiences of some form of IPV, and that girls experience more repeated IPV compared to boys. Furthermore, the study places youth IPV in a physical context, suggesting that it takes place in different arenas, such as the parents’ house, the partner’s house, and at school.Study III uses data consisting of “teller-focused” interviews with 18 IPV victimized youth (aged 17-23) in Sweden, and illustrates the dynamics of IPV victimization, establishing it as a social phenomenon and emphasizing the agency of young people in the midst of abusive relationships. It shows varying responses (including a lack of response) from three different actors: parents, school, and young people themselves, all from the young person’s perspective. Overall, the data show that youth-specific factors (e.g. parental dependency, attending school) have a meaningful bearing on both responses and resilience to IPV.Lastly, study IV draws upon data consisting of “teller-focused” interviews with 18 IPV victimized youth (aged 17-23) in Sweden, and shows how young people’s abusive relationships come to an end. It shows that the ending process for youth may be different than for adults, since youth-specific factors create unique barriers (e.g. the desire to be a girlfriend) and bridges (e.g. parental responsibilities) for young people seeking to end abusive relationships.Overall, this dissertation shows that many Swedish youth experience violence within a romantic intimate relationship, and that such violence, many times, is repeated and severe. The results indicate a gendered dimension to youth IPV—compared to boys, girls report more repeated violence and also describe how gendered norms affect their victimization. Moreover, regarding the physical context of youth IPV, the results show that this social problem takes place in arenas where adults dwell and how they can respond. Hence, it is not possible for the adult world to dismiss youth IPV as something undetectable.In sum, this dissertation shows that IPV does happen “when you’re young too.” Thus, it seems apparent that a wide-ranging response is called for: one that involves parents, schools, social workers, and policy makers alike. Only then will youth IPV as a social problem receive the attention it needs and deserves.
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| 2. |
- Wickramasinghe, Ayanthi
(författare)
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The Phenomenon of Ragging : Violence among University students in Sri Lanka
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Ragging is an initiation ritual carried out in Sri Lankan universities, where new students are harassed by senior students. This practice has severe adverse consequences including depression, increased university dropouts and suicide. Although this is a significant public health problem and a burden on the country, research on ragging is scarce.This thesis aimed to investigate and gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of ragging, through the various perspectives of students and individuals attached to the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The prevalence of Major depressive disorder (MDD) among the students was also examined. Paper I, a cross-sectional survey, demonstrated that 59% of the students from the faculties of Medicine and Technology experienced ragging. Health consequences were experienced by 54% and help was mainly sought from friends and family. The student’s faculty and year of study was associated with ragging.In Paper II, 17 focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with students representing all faculties. Thematic analysis was employed to navigate through the theoretical lenses of structural violence, intersectionality, and social dominance. Findings revealed students used ragging as an expression of power to initiate order and express dissatisfaction towards social inequalities. Students trivialized violence despite being aware of the dire consequences.In Paper III, 11 semi-structured interviews and seven FDGs were conducted with staff and work-affiliated individuals at the university. Foucauldian Discourse Analysis and Bandura’s Moral Disengagement theory were utilized to interpret the findings. The main discourses were; Ragging as normal and necessary, Insecurity and fear of reprisal, and Voices of resistance. Participants felt unsupported and in order to survive in this insecure environment, they adapted their moral judgments.In Paper IV, Patient Health Questionnaires (PHQ-9) were used to screen for MDD among students (n=637), from Faculties of Management, Science and Medicine. MDD was experienced by 31% of students. Among all the student participants, 70% had experienced some form of depression ranging from mild to severe. MDD was associated with the student’s ethnicity.Interventions targeting both individual and multisectoral levels are needed in order to curb ragging, and create a safe and nurturing environment for all.
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