Adolescent Fighting: Racial/Ethnic Disparities and the Importance of Families and Schools

Physical Fighting and Social Correlates among In-School Adolescents in the Caribbean

“…Some research has suggested that traditional masculine gender socialization and social and cultural norms encourage men to engage in behaviours that put their health at risk (Mahalik, Burns & Syzdek, 2007;Rudatsikira et al, 2007). This study, also found in agreement with other studies (Bailey, 2011;Pickett et al, 2013;Shetgiri et al, 2010) that hunger as an indicator of low economic status was associated with a higher risk of physical fighting. Lower levels of economic status may result in social conditions that promote the acceptance of violence within society (Pickett et al, 2013), and potential biological effects of hunger may lead to physiological changes such as cortisol fluctuations that associated with emotional stress may also contribute to violence (Pickett et al, 2013;Toda, Morimoto, Fukuda & Hayakawa, 2002).…”

“…In all study countries males were more likely to be engaged in physical fights than females, which concurs with previous studies (Pickett et al, 2013;Rudatsikira et al, 2007Shetgiri et al, 2010). Some research has suggested that traditional masculine gender socialization and social and cultural norms encourage men to engage in behaviours that put their health at risk (Mahalik, Burns & Syzdek, 2007;Rudatsikira et al, 2007).…”

“…Factors associated with physical fighting among adolescents have been identified as follows: 1) Socioeconomic factors [male gender (Pickett et al, 2013;Rudatsikira, Siziya, Kazembe & Muula, 2007;Shetgiri, Kataoka, Ponce, Flores & Chung, 2010); older age (Pickett et al, 2013); low economic status (Bailey, 2011;Pickett et al, 2013;Shetgiri et al, 2010]; 2) Risk behaviours (Pickett et al, 2013), substance use (alcohol use, smoking, drug use) (Fraga, Ramos, Dias & Barros, 2011;Reid, Garcia-Reid, Klein & McDougall, 2008;Rudatsikira et al, , 2010Shetgiri et al, 2010), bullying victimization (Celedonia, Wilson, El Gammal & Hagras, 2013;Pickett et al, 2013;Rudatsikira et al, 2007;Rudatsikira, Mataya, Siziya & Muula, 2008), early sexual debut (Fraga et al, 2011 ;Ohene, Ireland & Blum, 2005), drank more than five cans of soft drinks per week (Solnick & Hemenway, 2012); 3) Psychological distress [depressive symptoms (Celedonia et al, 2013;Shetgiri et al, 2010); feeling irritable or bad tempered (Smith-Khuri et al, 2004)]; 4) Lack of protective factors [lack of parental supervision (Rudatsikira et al, 2007, lack of helpful peers (Celedonia et al, 2013); lack of understanding parents (Celedonia et al, 2013), lack of family support (Shetgiri et al, 2010;Williams, Rivera, Neighbours & Reznik, 2007); lack of school support (Shetgiri et al, 2010;Williams et al, 2007).…”

Association Between Perceived Discrimination and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Problem Behaviors Among Preadolescent Youths

“…Black adolescents report higher rates of problem behaviors than their White counterparts. 1,2 Latino adolescents generally report rates of these behaviors lower than Blacks, but greater than Whites. In a nationally representative survey of high school students, 41% of Blacks, 36% of Latinos, and 28% of Whites reported involvement in a physical fight in the preceding year.…”

Experiences of Central California Latino Male Youth: Recollecting Despair and Success inBarriosand Schools

“…Within the CA Central Valley, for example, asthma rates have been reported to be particularly high (Bengiamin, Capitman, & Chang, 2008;Porter, Fox, Beard, & Chapman, 2003;Schwartz & Pepper, 2009). Among Latinos, the most common mental health issues have been reported to be depression and stress (Shetgiri, Kataoka, Ponce, Flores, & Chung, 2010). For example, Shetgiri et al (2010) found depression to be the source for much of the fighting that takes place in schools.…”