Citation

Resko SM, Reddock EC, Ranney ML, Epstein-Ngo Q, Mountain SK, Zimmerman MA, Cunningham RM, Walton MAL. Soc. Work Public Health 2016; 31(3): 99-112.

Affiliation

h Injury Center and Addiction Research Center, Department of Psychiatry , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19371918.2015.1087914

PMID

27018828

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the self-reported reasons for fighting among female adolescents (N = 72). Data are drawn from brief intervention sessions addressing violent behavior and alcohol use. Young women age 14 to 18 (Mean = 16) were recruited in an urban emergency department (58.3% African American/Black, 31.9% White, and 9.7% other races/ethnicities). Participants identified multiple reasons that they engage in fights including self-protection/self-defense, enhancing social status and respect, safety (e.g., preventing future fights or sexual assaults), revenge/retaliation, social motivations (e.g., defending family or friends, fighting over romantic interests), coping, and enjoyment.

RESULTS provide insight into opportunities and challenges in developing interventions addressing aggression among female adolescents.

Language: en