NCJ Number
227462
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 24 Issue: 6 Dated: August 2009 Pages: 361-366
Date Published
August 2009
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study determined whether violent behavior among a sample of university students in North Jordan was associated with their reports of family dysfunction and family violence.
Abstract
The study concluded that being raised in a family in which there was dysfunction and domestic violence increased the risk of a student behaving aggressively in social interactions with other students. Of the 1,560 male and female students in the sample, 11.9 percent reported engaging in aggressive behavior with other students during the past 3 years. Approximately 16.5 percent of the students who participated in the study reported that their families were dysfunctional. Students' participation in arguments with other students was significantly influenced by having witnessed or being otherwise exposed to domestic violence. In ranking the influence of various factors on the development of violent behavior, the students ranked the family first. This was followed in order by the surrounding community, media, school, and university. The students in the study sample were attending three universities in North Jordan. The study was conducted from October 2007 to February 2008. The prevalence of violence among university students was the main outcome variable. It was measured by self-reported participation in violent action on the university campus within the last 3 years. Domestic violence was measured by asking whether students were exposed to or witnessed verbal aggression and/or physical violence in their homes. Family dysfunction was documented by checking one or more of the following items: unavailable parents, divorced or separated parents, and whether the student had a good relationship with his/her parents. 3 tables and 20 references