NCJ Number
167879
Journal
Developments Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1997) Pages: 5-8
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Juvenile violence is discussed with respect to its nature and extent, risk factors, intervention, and prevention.
Abstract
The United States leads all modern industrialized countries in the prevalence of crime and incarceration among all ages. Sharp increases have occurred in juvenile crimes. No single factor determines violent behavior, however. Instead, a variety of risk factors converge to lead a child to violence. Risks arising from individual characteristics, family experiences, socioeconomic status, peer relations, access to guns, and exposure to media violence all have a role in determining violent behavior. Many are amenable to change. A strong predictor of violent behavior is a history of having engaged in aggressive behavior as a child, particularly by age 8. Several interventions have promise in reducing antisocial and aggressive behaviors. Some focus on changing the individual. Others seek to change systems and settings that influence behavior, including family, peers, and community. Some are school based; some are parent and family based; and some use the public health model of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. 8 references