Citation

Sekol I. Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 2013; 35(12): 1901-1912.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.09.006

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This research examined the way contextual and peer factors influence peer violence in adolescent residential care. One hundred and twenty residents aged 11-21 from 20 residential care facilities participated in 20 focus groups about peer violence in care. The results demonstrated that four, mutually interrelated themes, contributed to explanations of violence amongst residents: 1) residential peer culture; 2) vulnerability at the beginning of institutionalization; 3) deprivation, stigmatization and frustration; and 4) poor relationship with staff. The results are discussed with reference to the existing residential care and prison-based research on bullying and peer violence and a number of research and policy recommendations are provided.