Measuring safe, stable and nurturing relationships among adolescents in China, Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia: Association with peer-violence experiences

Child Abuse Negl. 2025 May 17;165:107494. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107494. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships (SSNRs) are an essential component of healthy child development. However, there is a scintilla of data on the measurement of SSNRs and whether these conceptualizations have different associations with peer-violence.

OBJECTIVE: We examined two ways of measuring SSNRs (domains and latent class analysis (LCA)) and their relationship with peer violence victimization and perpetration among adolescents across three countries.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Three longitudinal datasets (Wave 1-Wave 3) were used from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), China, and Indonesia (n = 6068). Adolescents were purposefully selected if they were 10-14 years old and living in urban poor communities during Wave 1.

METHODS: We examined associations between both SSNR conceptualizations (domains and LCA) and peer-violence experiences cross-sectionally and longitudinally using multivariable logistic regressions for each site.

RESULTS: We found similarities and differences across sites. The class structure (through LCA) differed across sites. All sites had a ‘high SSNR’ class. In Indonesia and Shanghai there was a ‘low SSNR’ class, ‘high parental factor’ class, and ‘high SSNR except social cohesion’ class. In Indonesia and Kinshasa, associations with peer-violence were found for both conceptualizations (domain and LCA). In Shanghai, only the latent classes showed association with peer-violence experiences. In general, SSNRs were protective against peer-violence experiences during Wave 1.

CONCLUSION: LCA provides a more subtle understanding of SSNRs. In particular, positive family relationships play a critical role in reducing peer violence experiences. Developing programs require cross-sectoral collaborations that involve families and communities to prevent peer-violence.

PMID:40383093 | DOI:10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107494