NCJ Number
202641
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2003 Pages: 403-418
Date Published
August 2003
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the coping strategies, exposure to violence, and psychological trauma symptoms of violent adolescents compared to less violent and nonviolent adolescents.
Abstract
An anonymous self-report questionnaire was administered to students in six public high schools (grades 9-12). Adolescents were categorized into one of three groups. They were considered part of the most violent group if they scored in the top 10 percent of the entire sample (by gender) on self-reports of violent behavior. Adolescents that self-reported engaging in no aggressive or violent behavior in the past year were categorized as nonviolent. The remaining adolescents were identified as less violent. It was expected that the most violent youth would report using more maladaptive, and fewer positive or adaptive coping strategies compared to their less violent peers; have higher levels of violence exposure and victimization; and have higher levels of clinically significant trauma symptoms than their less violent and nonviolent peers. The results show that violent adolescents reported higher levels of exposure to violence and victimization from violence than a comparison sample of adolescents in their communities. The most violent adolescents self-reported higher rates of clinically significant levels of all trauma symptoms, particularly anger, anxiety, and depression at rates 2 to 12 times symptoms reported by their less violent and nonviolent peers. These behavioral and mental health problems were exacerbated for violent youth by an overreliance on maladaptive coping strategies and a lack of prosocial, adaptive coping strategies. This combination of factors can lead to poor long-term adjustment and mental health. The most common coping strategies used by adolescents in general were listening to music and talking to a friend. Coping strategies used more often by violent adolescents included getting angry and yelling at people; saying something mean; using alcohol or drugs; and being with a girlfriend/boyfriend. Most of these behaviors are likely to increase the potential for violence, either by the individual displaying the behaviors or by individuals reacting to the behaviors. Violent adolescents would benefit from developing more constructive coping strategies that neither perpetuate their violent behaviors nor put them at risk for other serious problems. 6 tables, 44 references