Key Social Norms Take-aways This study shows how social norms that reinforce male dominance and tolerance of sexual coercion contribute to the perpetration of sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) among adolescents in South Africa. Boys were more likely than girls to perpetrate and experience sexual IPV and perceived greater social approval from peers and family for pressuring partners to have sex. These findings reflect broader societal norms around masculinity, gender inequity, and control, suggesting that targeting attitudes and perceived social norms is critical for IPV prevention efforts. Interventions must challenge the normalization of coercion in relationships and promote equitable gender norms among both boys and girls.
Objectives The study aimed to assess and compare beliefs—attitudes, social influence, self-efficacy, and intention—related to sexual IPV perpetration among Grade 8 boys and girls in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It also examined how these beliefs differed between perpetrators and nonperpetrators and tested the applicability of the I-Change model in explaining IPV behavior.
Methods This was a cross-sectional, quantitative analysis using baseline data from the PREPARE study, a cluster-randomized controlled trial. A total of 2,199 adolescents from 42 randomly selected high schools completed a self-administered questionnaire in early 2013. Sexual IPV perpetration and related beliefs were measured using constructs from the I-Change model: attitudes toward IPV, perceived social norms, self-efficacy to refrain from IPV, and intention not to perpetrate IPV.
Results Boys reported significantly higher rates of sexual IPV perpetration (11.3%) and victimization (13.6%) compared to girls (3.2% and 6.4%, respectively). Boys held more supportive attitudes toward IPV and perceived greater social acceptance of pressuring a partner to have sex. They also exhibited lower self-efficacy to refrain from coercion. Both male and female perpetrators showed more favorable attitudes toward IPV, stronger perceived social approval, and lower self-efficacy compared to nonperpetrators. However, intention not to perpetrate IPV did not differ significantly between genders or between perpetrators and nonperpetrators. The I-Change model explained 46% of the variance in boys’ IPV perpetration and 50% in girls’.
Conclusions Sexual IPV perpetration among South African adolescents is alarmingly prevalent and closely linked to attitudes and social norms that condone coercion. Boys, in particular, are influenced by peer and familial norms that reinforce harmful masculine ideals. Effective interventions must address these social and cognitive factors early, using comprehensive school-based and community programs that promote respectful, consensual relationships and gender equity.