| Abstract [eng] |
There is a lack of knowledge about abuse and effects of abuse among adolescents. Exposure to abuse is often associated with impaired psychosocial functioning in adolescence and later in adulthood. However, due to psychological resilience, not all adolescents that experienced abuse have psychological problems. Moreover, there is a lack of studies of psychosocial functioning and psychological resilience among adolescents exposed to violence and abuse. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of abuse in adolescence and to assess the behavioral and emotional difficulties and psychological resilience. The research employed various tools to collect data: demographic data questionnaire; Life-time Abuse Exposure Questionnaire to measure abuse; Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to evaluate emotional and behavioural difficulties; Resilience Scale (RS-14) for adolescent psychological resilience. The sample consisted of 403 adolescents, 242 females and 161 males, from various schools in Lithuania. The participants were 12-16 years of age (M = 13,99; SD = 1,23). The research found that 65,3% of the sample have experienced abuse. Abuse exposure and psychological resilience were significant predictors of the severity of emotional and behavioral difficulties. Every type of experienced abuse was associated with higher levels of the emotional and behavioural difficulties. Higher adolescent psychological resilience decreased the probability of experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties. Further longitudinal research could provide better understanding of psychosocial functioning and psychological resilience in adolescence that experienced abuse. |
