|
Abstract
|
The relationships between violence, drug use, and victimization were examined in a representative sample of American adolescents. The commonly used illegal drugs (marijuana, amyl/butyl nitrites, psychedelics, amphetamines, and cocaine) and alcohol were considered. Drug users, compared to nonusers, fought more, took more risks which predisposed them to assault, and were assaulted more both at school and outside school supervision. Adolescents who were victims at school were also more likely to be victimized outside of school supervision. This study clearly demonstrates that the aggressor may also be the victim, and that illegal drug/alcohol use is related to victimization.
VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
This study by Kingery et al. utilized the U.S. National Adolescent Student Health Survey to examine the relationship between drug use, victimization and violence in teenagers.
METHODOLOGY:
For this quasi-experimental study, a detailed national survey was created by a steering committee comprised of health organization representatives who held focus groups with teenagers and who received revisions and suggestions from school teachers and education specialists. A stratified random sampling technique was used to create a representative sample comprising of three classes of 8th and 10th graders from each of 224 private and public schools nationwide during December of 1987 and January of 1988. The surveys were given to the students by 12 teachers and educators who attended a half-day training session. Students responded anonymously and participated voluntarily with parental permission. The questionnaire took about an hour and was written for a 7th grade reading level. The validity of the completed questionnaires was checked and 2% were deleted for contradictory answers and 3% were deleted because gender or grade had not been indicated. 3,789 students were part of the final sample. Survey questions were grouped together into 6 general categories for analysis: frequency of being assaulted at school; frequency of being assaulted outside of school; frequency of unsafe behavior (i.e., hitchhiking, walking alone at night); frequency of personal drug use; perceived drug use by friends; perceived disapproval of drug use by friends. The average score on the drug usage category for each school provided an index of behavior for that community. A two-way analysis of variance was applied to each category of survey items. Mean z-scores, correlations, multiple regressions, and frequencies were all utilized in the data analysis.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The two-way analysis of variance of the categories revealed high to moderate re-test reliability Mean z-scores comparing the risk behavior and victimization by grade and gender revealed that grade and gender interacted significantly with frequency of fighting and victimization; eighth grade boys were in more fights and were victimized more than other grades and gender; tenth graders used more illegal drugs than eighth graders; boys engaged in more violent behavior and took more risks than the other groups. When comparing drug use and perceptions to the other categories, all the findings were significant (p<.0001): drug users were in more fights; took more risks; were victimized more often; were more likely to perceive having friends who use drugs; were more likely to engage in unsafe behavior; less likely to perceived having friends who disapprove of drugs. This study's multiple regression analysis found that illegal drug use was higher in boys, tenth graders, live in areas with high numbers of drug users, have more friends who use drugs, and have fewer friends who disapprove of drug use (all p<.0001). This study concluded that drug use and violence are increasing in U.S. youth today and adolescents today are at higher risk of health problems and victimization.
AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS:
The authors suggested the need for further research of the differences in the violence levels of younger and older teenagers; of teenagers in suburban, urban, and rural areas; and of teenagers who are economically advantaged and disadvantaged. The authors also suggested the need for violence education in schools and for more effective drug education programs. (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)
KW - Drug Use Effects
KW - Alcohol Use Effects
KW - Victimization Causes
KW - Violence Causes
KW - Drug Related Violence
KW - Alcohol Related Violence
KW - Alcohol Related Victimization
KW - Drug Related Victimization
KW - Juvenile Substance Use
KW - Juvenile Violence
KW - Juvenile Offender
KW - Juvenile Victim
KW - Junior High School Student
KW - Late Adolescence
KW - Early Adolescence
KW - Senior High School Student
Language: en |