Silent victims: risk factors associated with school violence in Peruvian adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: School violence is a global and complex problem. Objective: Identify the types of school violence and their associated factors in Peruvian adolescents. Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Two self-administered instruments were administered to 253 adolescents selected through stratified random sampling from the first to fifth grade of secondary school at a Peruvian public institution in 2024. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with school violence. Results: Verbal violence (63.24%) and psychological violence (54.94%) were the most prevalent, while physical violence (37.55%) and sexual violence (3.95%) were less frequent. The most influential factors were individual (75.49%), social (62.87%), and family (56.13%) factors, whereas community (35.56%), cultural (35.97%), and school (43.10%) factors had less influence. Bivariate analysis revealed significant associations between school violence and sex (p = 0.03), family type (p = 0.02), socioeconomic status (p = 0.01), and area of residence (p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis found an association between individual, family, and social factors and school violence, specifically with verbal and psychological violence. Discussion: These findings confirm the central role of personal, social, and family dynamics in shaping experiences of school violence. Addressing only school-related factors may be insufficient; interventions should also target adolescents' interpersonal environments to achieve long-term impact. Conclusions: School violence is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon. Comprehensive intervention strategies are recommended, not only to reduce violence but also to promote positive school climates that support learning and emotional well-being.