Culturally-Informed Approach to Trauma, Suicide Behavior, and Overt Aggression in African American Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 229922
• Journal: Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2010 Pages: 36-41
• Author(s): Kelly N. Graves; Nadine J. Kaslow; James M. Frabutt
• Date Published: January 2010
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reviews the literature on trauma and both suicidal behaviors and overt aggression among youth with particular attention to these constructs in African-American youth.

Abstract

Trauma is a risk factor for suicidal behaviors and overt aggression among youth. Culture is important to consider when examining the links between trauma and these types of aggression, as well as when considering the risk and protective factors (intrapersonal, social and situational, cultural, and environmental) that mediate and/or moderate these associations. Using a cultural lens, the article suggests that a public health based model, referred to as the Theory of Triadic Influence (TTI), provides a useful framework for examining the linkages among trauma, various risk and protective factors, and both suicidal behaviors and overt aggression. Because African-American youth are more likely to experience trauma, focused and model-driven research is needed that can unravel cultural influences on the links from trauma, suicidal behaviors, and aggression. References (Published Abstracts)