Descriptive study of the psychosocial and physical environments of school in relation to violence among adolescents in the Gampaha District of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescents spend a considerable proportion of their time in school and the physical and psychosocial dimensions of schools are important for their wellbeing. Objective: To assess the psychosocial and physical environments of schools for factors that promote or prevent peer violence among adolescents in the Gampaha District of Sri Lanka. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in 28 schools in the Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. A locally developed and validated checklist was used to obtain information through observation, by perusing school records and by interviewing teachers of grades 8-10 and school principals. Results: Only 32% of schools had a code of conduct or policy on violence among students and 44% stated that school will not tolerate bullying. None had specified procedures to deal with victims of violence. Only 21% of schools had a policy discouraging physical punishments by teachers. Of the schools 39% had abandoned classrooms or buildings, 28% had dark places and 43% had other places which may facilitate violence. Conclusions: The psychosocial and physical environments of schools in the Gampaha district are unsatisfactory regarding prevention of peer violence among adolescents in Sri Lanka.