Assessing the Role of Sex and Gender Norms in Peer Violence Trends During Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study From Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

To examine sex-stratified differences in peer violence trends between early to late adolescence and examine the role of gender norm perceptions on these trends. A 5-year, five-wave linked panel cohort of a purposive sample of adolescents (<i>n</i> = 1,551) from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was used. During Wave 1 in 2017, out-of-school and in-school adolescents aged 10 to 14 years were selected from two urban communes. Peer violence was operationalized as no violence, victimization only, perpetration only, and victimization and perpetration overlap. A weighted multinomial logistic regression was conducted to determine the role of gender norm perceptions on peer violence experiences. Between 2017 and 2022, there was a reduction in peer violence experiences for both males and females driven by lower victimization (males: 0.8, 95% CI [0.8, 0.9]); females: 0.8 [0.7, 0.8]) and victimization and perpetration overlap (males: 0.9 [0.8, 0.96]; females: 0.7 [0.7, 0.8]) relative to one wave prior. A one-unit increase in sexual double standard (SDS) mean score increased risk of victimization and perpetration overlap for females (RRR: 1.3 [1.1, 1.6]). Peer violence has predominantly been assessed among males without understanding patterns among females. By creating a unique variable that captures victimization and/or perpetration, we unpack both commonalities and differences by sex in peer violence. More unequal perceptions of SDS increased relative risk of peer violence victim and perpetration overlap among females. Additionally, ACEs and alcohol emerged as risk factors for peer violence experiences. Family-based programs combined with gender transformative interventions and policies to address alcohol misuse among adolescents could mitigate peer violence experiences.