Links between deprivation and risk of violence-related injury: a qualitative study to identify potential causal mechanisms

Background: Deprivation has been shown to have a greater effect on risk of violent injury among adolescent girls than boys, but the mechanisms underlying this association have not been identified.

Methods: In this qualitative study designed to identify causal mechanisms, focus groups involving girls aged 14-16 years attending secondary schools in South Wales, UK, were convened. Schools were recruited based on a measure of area-level deprivation. Discussions were audio-recorded and transcripts analysed thematically.

Results: Girls from more deprived areas tended not to participate in organized activities, obtained alcohol from multiple sources, consumed alcoholic drinks of varying strengths in both supervised and unsupervised settings, and tended not to feel trusted by their parents; this led to poor adolescent-parent communication. Girls from less deprived areas tended to participate in organized activities, obtain alcohol from parents, consume low strength alcohol in supervised settings, and have a trusting and communicative relationship with their parents.

Conclusion: Deprivation may increase risk of adolescent girls sustaining violence-related injury by increasing their time spent in unsupervised environments, with alcohol and without parental knowledge.