|
Abstract
|
Some of the factors associated with such violence, notably racism and poverty, clearly demand societal solutions. Other factors, however, may respond to public health intervention strategies. Emergency room workers can practice secondary intervention, as they do with victims of child abuse, sexual assault, or attempted suicide. Family physicians can refer adolescents for appropriate help.
VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this paper by Prothrow-Stith was to support a public health approach to the prevention of adolescent violence and provides an overview of the factors contributing to the presence of violence in the United States in order to show which factors may respond to this type of intervention.
METHODOLOGY:
The author employed a non-experimental review of literature on predisposing factors of adolescent violence.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
Children living in a climate of violence develop symptoms resembling those of soldiers in a battle zone, such as regression, headaches, depression, hopelessness, and passivity. A study done on 1,035 children in a high-crime area of Chicago discovered that four out of five kids by age 11, had witnessed someon being beaten. One third had seen a shooting or a stabbing. In this environment their rage was looked at as a behavioral disorder with public health implications. Young African-American males run the highest risk of becoming either victims or perpetrators of violence. The homicide rate for African American males ages 15-19 rose a dramatic 100% between 1984-1988. The rise of adolescent violence of male African American youths has been attributed in part to a decline in the manufacturing base, rise of chronic male unemployment, rise in female-headed households, the loss of white collar workers from inner city neighborhoods, and the shrinkage of the earning potential of young African American males without a diploma. Personal and behavioral factors also play a role in the violence. Almost 50% of victims and assailants know each other. Arguments precipitate almost half of all homicides. Homicides precipitate from the commission of another crime only 15% of the time. Alcohol and cocaine, single or together, also contribute to violent behavior. Another contributing factor is the possession of firearms. Firearms were the weapon used in 63% of all homicide committed. Psychological and descriptive profiles of victims and assailants are similar. Violent behavior is also linked to organic factors.
AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS:
The author suggested that emergency room physicians implement service intervention protocols when contact occurs with victims and perpetrators of violent crimes. This plan should include an assessment of patients for a risk profile. Those patients with a high risk profile may then be referred for behavior modification therapy and community support services can be brought in to assist the family. Pediatricians and family physicians can practice primary prevention through the education of parents and patients in verbal conflict resolution. The author also recommended a coordinated effort to public health intervention which includes routine screening of children and teenagers for risk factors, responsive mental health services, school based preventative education programs, and active community support.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
N1 - Call Number: F-508, AB-508
KW - Public Health Personnel
KW - Public Health Approach
KW - Juvenile Offender
KW - Juvenile Violence
KW - Violence Prevention
KW - Violence Intervention
KW - Violence Risk Factors
KW - At Risk Juvenile
KW - At Risk Youth
KW - Violence Causes
KW - Literature Review
Language: en |