The Relationship between Submissive Behavior and Exposure to Physical Violence in Adolescents in a Semi-Rural Area of Malatya

Adolescence and young adulthood are periods that increase in violent behaviors. Perceived by the victims directly and those who witness the violence is important for the development personality, attitudes and behaviors. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between submissive behavior characteristics of adolescents and exposure to physical violence in a semi-rural area, in Malatya. This is the cross-sectional survey was conducted in a semi rural area of Malatya. Hekimhan District Centre and randomly selected three town 410 adolescents were included in the study. The research survey and "Submissive Behavior Scale" developed by Savaşır and Şahin (1992) was applied under observation. Unpaired t-test and regression analysis were used for data analysis. 60.2% male and 39.8% were female of 410 adolescents. 33.7% primary and 66.3% high school education of adolescents has been attending. From the adolescents 41.3% at home, 41.9% in school, 41.5% in the street, stated that they had experienced physical violence. Male adolescents SAS mean 34.1 ± 11.4, and 36.2 ± 11.9 with the mean of female showed no significant difference (p = 0.073). Submissive behavior score of adolescents victimized by domestic violence was higher than the ones who do not (t = 1.993, p <0.05). The standardized regression coefficient is interpreted, exposed to physical violence in the home increased by 13.9% to an increase of one-unit leads to in the submissive behavior (F = 7.892, p = 0.005). As conclussion; in this study it was found a significant relationship between submissive behavior and physical violence at home. The consciousness-raising programs for adolescents, parents and teachers are needed.