Assessing the Role of Sex and Gender Norms in Peer Violence Trends During Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study From Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Outcomes: Gender‑Based Violence
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways Gender norms—particularly unequal expectations about sexual and romantic behavior for boys versus girls—may shape adolescents’ vulnerability to peer violence differently by sex. More unequal sexual double standard perceptions were associated with greater peer violence, particularly the overlap of victimization and perpetration among girls. The authors argue that gender-transformative approaches should address harmful sexual double standards within peer and community networks, alongside family and other psychosocial factors.
Objectives To examine differences between boys and girls in peer violence trends from early through late adolescence and assess how perceptions of gender norms shape these trends among adolescents in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Methods This longitudinal research study used a five-year, five-wave linked panel cohort from the Global Early Adolescent Study. The analytical sample included 1,551 in-school and out-of-school adolescents who were ages 10–14 at baseline in 2017 and were followed through 2022. Peer violence was categorized as no violence, victimization only, perpetration only, or overlapping victimization and perpetration. Sex-stratified weighted multinomial logistic regression examined changes over time and associated factors. Gender norm perceptions were measured using two validated scales: a seven-item Gender Stereotypical Traits scale assessing beliefs that boys are tough and girls are weak, and a six-item Sexual Double Standard scale assessing unequal expectations for boys and girls in romantic relationships. Higher scores represented more gender-inequitable perceptions.
Results From 2017 to 2022, peer violence declined among both boys and girls, driven by reductions in victimization only and overlapping victimization and perpetration; perpetration alone did not significantly change. Among girls, each one-point increase in the Sexual Double Standard score was associated with a 30% greater relative risk of overlapping victimization and perpetration (relative risk ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.6). The Gender Stereotypical Traits scale was not associated with peer violence. Adverse childhood experiences and alcohol use were additional risk factors, while parental closeness was protective for girls.
Conclusions Peer violence generally decreased across adolescence, but gender-inequitable sexual double standards remained important for understanding violence experiences, especially among girls. The findings highlight the need for sex-specific analyses and multifaceted prevention strategies combining gender-transformative programming that challenges sexual double standards with family-based approaches and efforts addressing alcohol use and childhood adversity.
Disclaimer: These summaries were generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and are based on the interpretation of source documents. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and clarity, there may be errors or omissions. Users are encouraged to consult the original documents for complete and authoritative information.