Prevalence and prevention of interpersonal violence in urban secondary schools: an ecosystemic perspective

Abstract

This article aims to describe the prevalence and nature of learner violence in urban secondary schools and what school staff members, learners and parents perceive as the major contributing factors to either promoting or preventing interpersonal adolescent violence. Adolescents’ behaviour and development are to a large extent influenced by the type of relationship they have with school staff members, their parents and peer group. This article provides an overview of the empirical study and a discussion of the main research findings that should assist schools and families with collaboratively identifying and addressing the social and ecological factors that either promote or prevent aggressive or violent adolescent learner behaviour.