Toward an Understanding of Risk and Protective Factors for Violence Among Adolescent Boys and Men: A Longitudinal Analysis

Abstract

Purpose To understand the etiology of violence among ethnically-diverse men using a nationally representative and longitudinal sample of youth. Methods Participants included 4,322 adolescent men followed from ages 13 to 32 from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Trajectories of violence were estimated, and multinomial regression procedures were used to evaluate multiple domains of risk and protective factors for violence. Results Three profiles of violence (non-violent, desistors, and escalators) were identified. There were no substantial differences in the patterns of violent behavior across race/ethnicity; however, the prevalence of violence differed by racial/ethnic group. After accounting for violent behavior at Wave I, peer marijuana use (OR = 1.20), alcohol use (OR = 1.50), group fighting (OR = 2.23), and Wave I violence (OR = 4.34) were identified as risk factors for desistance, while only Wave I violence predicted escalation (OR = 2.27). Conclusions Three trajectories of serious violence, including a late-onset group, were identified; however, few risk and protective factors were associated with membership in this group. Risk and protective factors for violence prior to age 13 should be targeted for prevention.

Exposure to Community Violence and Trajectories of Violent Offending

“…The current study identified different trajectories of violent offending among serious adolescent offenders. Our finding of 4 trajectories of violent adolescent offending is consistent with recent research in the area (Piquero, 2008; Reingle, Jennings, Lynne-Landsman, Cottler, & Maldonado-Molina, 2013; for a literature review see Jennings & Reingle, 2012). Results also indicate that a small group within our sample, 7.7%, comprises the most serious violent offending trajectory.…”

“…This finding is similar to other studies that demonstrate the presence of a “severe class” (Vaughn et al, 2011) of juvenile offenders who are disproportionately involved in serious offending (see also Wolfgang, Figlio, & Sellin, 1972). Also consistent with prior research (Baskin & Sommers, 1998; Reingle et al, 2013; Zara & Farrington, 2009), our analyses distinguished a later onset serious violent offending trajectory, which resembled the chronic group in terms of risk factors.…”

Adolescent Physical Fighting in Ghana, Their Demographic and Social Characteristics

“…Past research has presented mixed findings regarding the association of physical fighting with parenting or parental behavior. Whereas some studies reported that adolescents who feel warmth and support from their parents were less likely to use drugs and engage in other violent behavior [30][31][32] others have documented that parental involvement and alcohol use [37] and parental monitoring [5] were not associated with violent behavior. In our study, the bivariate analyses revealed that having understanding parents and having parents who knew the whereabouts of their children were both related to lower risk of physical fighting.…”

Violence-Related Behaviors Among School Going Adolescents in Peninsular Malaysia

“…Despite having cultural differences in viewing gender, risk factors may apply to all countries, as shown in a study done among Thai youths 15 . In most of the countries, it was also found that males are more prone to risk factors such as cigarette consumption, alcohol consumption, and drug use [16][17] . Social scientists revealed that one of the reasons females have lower rates of involvement in violence and its risk factors is because they acquire social cognitive skills earlier in life than males do 18 .…”