Self-report weapon possession in school and patterns of early adolescent adjustment in rural african american youth

Author: Estell, D. B. / Farmer, T. W. / Cairns, B. D. / Clemmer, J. T.
Publication: J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol
Topics: Age Group Ethnicity Gender Gun Carrying Urban/Rural
Keywords: African American Youth aggression risk factor weapon carrier
Bibliographic information +

The authors examined weapon carrying in school among rural African American youth, selecting a sample of 345 (189 boys, 156 girls) sixth-grade children from the two poorest counties in a Southern state and collecting data during the spring semesters of sixth, seventh, and eight grade. They found that weapon carriers in the first year were mostly male, more aggressive and had higher rates of substance use than noncarriers. For those who became weapon carriers after the first year, transitioning into this group was related with both individual marijuana use and peer-group aggression and marijuana use. Over three years, the weapon carriers’ profiles of high levels of aggression, drinking and marijuana use were maintained.