The Cascade of Risk: An Ecological Analysis of Violence Affecting Children and Adolescents in Thailand
Bhubate Samutachak, Kanyapat SuttikasemBackground
Violence against children and adolescents continues to be a global public health concern with significant consequences for physical and mental health. Understanding the ecological contexts in which violence occurs is critical for developing targeted interventions.
Objective
This study aimed to (1) analyze violent incidents involving children and adolescents in Thailand through news reports, (2) identify ecological factors contributing to unsafe conditions, and (3) provide evidence-based policy recommendations.
Methods
Qualitative content analysis was conducted on 212 unique news reports of violence affecting children and adolescents (aged 1-19 years) from a popular national television program broadcast throughout 2023. Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory as a framework, incidents were thematically analyzed based on the location and context of violence.
Results
Violence was categorized into five primary ecological contexts: home/residence (n=89), school/daycare (n=45), community/public space (n=51), transportation (n=15), and digital space (n=12). Key findings included: (1) fathers were perpetrators in over half of home violence cases; (2) drug and alcohol use was a significant contributing factor across contexts; (3) school environments harbored multiple forms of violence including teacher-perpetrated abuse and peer bullying; (4) inadequate supervision was prevalent in public space incidents; and (5) a total of 47 fatalities were reported across all contexts.
Conclusions
This study reveals a concerning ecosystem of violence affecting Thai children and adolescents across multiple settings. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions at various ecological levels, including parental education, substance abuse prevention, school safety measures, and transportation regulations.