Eloping behavior among adolescents in the Gampaha District: A statistical analysis.

Abstract

Background: Eloping among adolescents is a critical issue in Sri Lanka, often linked to family dysfunction, psychological distress, and peer pressure. This study analyzed elopement cases reported in the Gampaha district using data from the database of child protection unit. The study aims to provide insights into the factors influencing adolescent elopement and its consequences. Method: A retrospective quantitative analysis was conducted on 67 cases of adolescent elopement recorded in the child protection unit in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka from October 2021 to January 2025. The data included age at the time of elopement, caretaker at the time of elopement, duration of elopement, family background, status of schooling, partner characteristics, substance use, concurrent types of maltreatment and post-elopement outcome. Descriptive statistics were used to identify trends and risk factors. Results: The commonest age group involved with elopements was aged 14–15 years (83.6%; n= 56). The stay with the partner varied from a maximum stay of 1 year to less than a week in 47.8% (n=32). Sexual abuse involved almost all the occasions and psychological distress, including depression and disturbed behavior accounting for 14.9% (n=10). Intimate partner violence was experienced by 4.5% (n=3) of them. The risk factors identified among the cohort included caretakers at the time of elopement. The analysis showed caretakers as parents (59.7%; n=40), mother (20.9%; n=14), father (10.4%; n=7), grandmother (4.5%; n=3), aunt (3%; n=2) or grandparents (1.5%; n=1) respectively. Among the adolescents 10.4% of them were not schooling before the incident. Post-elopement interventions included institutional case conferences taking decisions regarding safe guardianship, placement, psychological rehabilitation and re-establishment of the schoolwork. Conclusions: Adolescent elopement is frequently associated with sexual abuse and identified risk factors involved dysfunctional families. The findings highlight the need for targeted legal frameworks, awareness programs, and stronger intervention strategies to protect vulnerable adolescents.