Adolescents at risk for violence

Daring, Substance Use and Involvement in Violence Among School Children

“…This difference is similar to previously reported data on other minority groups, as well as Arab youth living in Israel (Laufer & Harel, 2003;Zeira et al, 2003;Lowry et al, 1995;CDC, 1991). Being part of a minority group has long been considered as a stressor (e.g., Alva & Jones, 1994;Cervantes, Gilbert, Salgado de Snyder & Padilla, 1990) since minorities tend to belong to lower socioeconomic strata, which exposes them to more difficulties and stressful situations.…”

“…The aim of this study was to explore determinants of violence in Israeli school age adolescents and to examine whether the association between drug use and violence could best be explained by the pharmacological properties of the drugs (Fagan, 1990;Wurmser & Lebling, 1983), involvement in the delinquent activities that are part of obtaining the drugs (Lowry et al, 1995;Goldstein, 1985) or as part of a behavioral cluster (Jessor, 1991).…”

“…Obtaining illicit drugs frequently requires involvement in felonies or socializing with criminal elements. This illegal activity increases the probability of engaging in other delinquent and violent behaviors (Lowry, Sleet, Duncan, Powell & Kolbe 1995;Goldstein, 1985). Among junior high school students, gun carrying was strongly linked with indicators of serious delinquency and drug selling (Callahan & Rivara, 1992;Webster, Gainer & Champion, 1993).…”

Youth violence perpetration: What protects? What predicts? Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health

“…In this national sample of students, an array of risk and protective factors, derived from theoretical and empirical studies of youth health and risky behaviors, were found to significantly increase or diminish the likelihood of involvement in serious violence perpetration approximately 1 year after baseline data collection. Factors predictive of interpersonal violence perpetration across one or both of the gender groups, including perpetrating or experiencing violence, weapon carrying, friend suicidal involvement, problems in school, poor physical and/or emotional health, and higher levels of alcohol and marijuana use have been described in other studies of youth, both cross-sectional and longitudinal [9,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. Among the predictors, the self-report of perpetrating as well as experiencing violence are particularly salient.…”

Lagos “Area Boys”, Substance Usage and Potential Risk Factors

“…This finding supports the assumption that the initiation into drug use takes place during adolescence and early adulthood. This stage of development has been characterised by a number of risky and experimental behaviours, of which substance misuse and other antisocial activities are paramount (Lowry, Sleet, Duncan, Powell & Kolbe, 1995).…”