Violent behaviors in early adolescent minority youth: results from a "middle school youth risk behavior survey"

Author: Clubb, P. A. / Browne, D. C. / Humphrey, A. D. / Schoenbach, V. / Meyer, B. / Jackson, M.
Publication: Matern Child Health J
Topics: Age Group Ethnicity Gun Carrying Students
Keywords: African-American Alabama Gun carrying HISPANIC Americans Survey
Bibliographic information +

6400 minority (non-White) middle school students between the ages of 9 and 19 in 6 states (Alabama, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Washington) responded to a 10 question survey about their experiences of and exposure to violence. 60.7% had engaged in some kind of fighting in the past 3 months. Gun carrying among males ranged from a low of 7.6% in Illinois to a high of 19.6% in North Carolina. 10.6% of male students and 2.8% of female students reported being shot at and 6% of males and 1.6% of female students reported shooting at someone recently. The authors recommend early intervention to prevent violence, counseling services for those affected by violence, and community outreach.