Social support influences the impact of witnessing family violence on mental health in adolescents

Background

About 10-20% of Swedish adolescents have witnessed family violence. This group may be susceptible for mental health problems. This study explored the association between witnessing family violence and mental health problems, and the influence of social support, in adolescents in Sörmland county, Sweden (2023).

Methods

Population-based cross-sectional data (n = 3546) were analysed by descriptive statistics and logistic regressions. Family violence included witnessing threats, abusive words or physical/sexual violence. Mental health problems, including feeling anxious/worried, low/sad and/or angry at least once a week the during last 3 months, was used as the outcome. Social support included having parents, other adults and/or peers to talk to.

Results

Nearly 20% of the respondents reported having witnessed family violence. Of these, 76% reported having mental health problems, while the proportion was 47% among those that did not witness family violence. Additionally, among those who witnessed family violence, more girls reported having mental health problems (86%) than boys (56%). The odds ratio for witnessing family violence and mental health problems was 2.29 (1.87–2.82) in total, 2.51 (1.85–3.41) among girls and 1.67 (1.24–2.27) among boys in the fully adjusted model. Lack of social support, particularly not having a father, a mother or a friend to talk to, has a strong influence on the association between witnessing family violence and mental health problems.

Conclusions

Witnessing family violence is common among adolescents in Sörmland and this group often reports mental health problems. The association between witnessing family violence and mental health problems is stronger for girls than for boys. The lack of social support has been shown to be an important risk factor for this vulnerable group of adolescents and preventive interventions are urged for.

Key messages

• Witnessing family violence is common among adolescents and this group more often reports mental health problems that those not having witnessed family violence, especially among girls.

• Lack of social support from parents, adults or peers, is an important risk factor for mental health problems among adolescents having witnessed family violence.