NCJ Number
191647
Journal
Journal of Early Adolescence Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 447-469
Date Published
November 2001
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This analysis focuses on risks for youth violence that emerge before adolescence and influences on violent behavior during early adolescence with results indicating that exposure to risks at age 10 increased the potential for later violence.
Abstract
In order to determine whether risk factors for youth violence measured at 10 years of age influenced later violence through predictors measured at 14 years of age, an analysis was conducted from the Seattle Social Development Project (SSDP), a longitudinal study of youth development and behavior. It involved tests of mediation based on predictors of violence measured at 10 years of age and at 14 years of age (early adolescence). The objective was to determine whether risk factors at 14 years of age mediated the effects of risk factors measured at 10 years of age in the prediction of violent behavior measured at 18 years of age. Risk factors measured at 10 years of age included: (1) male gender; (2) hyperactivity/low attention; (3) antisocial behavior; (4) parental attitudes favorable to violence; (5) low academic performance; (6) involvement with antisocial peers; (7) low family income; (8) availability of drugs; and (9) low neighborhood attachment. To better understand the developmental patterns leading to violent behavior in late adolescence, the study involved models of mediation based on previously validated factors for youth violence. Results indicated that exposure to risks at 10 years of age increased the likelihood of later violence. In addition, school and peer experiences in early adolescence were likely to influence whether youth exposed earlier to risks go on to commit violent acts later in life. These results support early intervention in the prevention of youth violence. Appendix, and references