– Early detection and support in school can make a difference
A new and unique study in a Norwegian context, published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, provides insight into how some of the youngest children in primary school who have been subjected to violence or abuse may face challenges in school. This knowledge is important in order to meet the children’s needs to be identified and cared for, create a more supportive learning environment and prevent negative consequences of poor school functioning.
The study is published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence and can be read here:
Researcher Sofie Øvstebø Næss on the study:
What do you consider the most important finding in the study?
The findings show that exposure to multiple types of violence is associated with an increased risk of high school absenteeism. A full 10 percent of the children in the study had been absent for at least 8 days in the last month. That is a lot. Poor school performance was also a characteristic, but only 27.1 percent received special education.
What was the motivation for investigating school functioning in children with experiences of violence?
Previous research has shown that children and adolescents who have been exposed to violence and abuse are at risk for a number of negative consequences, including those related to mental and somatic health, and cognitive functioning. School is a central arena for children and their development, and this can have a significant impact on children’s schooling. Nevertheless, we know little about the actual school functioning of these younger children, as well as the follow-up they receive. We wanted to investigate this further.
How are school performance and absenteeism affected in these children?
Mental health and learning are closely linked. Secure children learn more, and mastery in school can strengthen mental health. In this study, it was reported that about one in six children had significant difficulties in at least one of the subjects Norwegian, mathematics, or English. Most of the children had relatively low absenteeism, but some children had very high absenteeism. We also found that children who had been exposed to multiple types of violence had higher school absenteeism. High school absenteeism can thus be a sign that something is amiss in the child’s life, and that violence or abuse may be the source.
Were there any findings that surprised you?
Yes, it surprised me that a full 10 percent of the children in the study had been absent for at least 8 days in the last month. That is a lot. Almost two weeks.
What do you hope the study can achieve?
I hope the study can contribute to increased awareness of violence and abuse, and its consequences for children, so that they are detected earlier and receive better support. In the long term, one must be allowed to hope for safer school environments with better accommodations and increased well-being and mastery.
Read more about the study here.
Other published articles from the survey
Clear link between violence and poor sleep
This systematic literature review is the first to specifically examine the connection between children expo…
Experience more mental health problems than other children
Children and adolescents who have experienced maltreatment have more mental health problems compared to oth…
Sleep Problems in Adolescents Exposed to Violence
Adolescents who have experienced violence in childhood may have an increased risk of sleep disturbances. Th…
Health Cohort for Children and Adolescents Exposed to Violence and Abuse
How do violence and abuse affect children and adolescents in the long term? The Triple-S study is the first…