The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66254

Tammy J. Jordan-Wyatt, PhD and Fred L. Peterson, PhD. Child, Adolescent, and School Health, The University of Texas at Austin, P.O. Box 188, Mason, TX 76856

Youth violence is a public health concern of the highest magnitude in all sectors of American society. Numerous studies report a multitude of risk and protective factors for violent and aggressive behavior. Similarly, youth violence theories and perspectives suggest that adolescents are influenced by a gamut of determinants. What are the most influential determinants to violence and aggression among adolescents? How are these determinants related? This study attempts to answer these questions from a unique perspective: adolescents themselves. The purpose of this cross-sectional research study was to examine, from a phenomenological perspective, adolescent perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes regarding violence and aggression. Through application of the innovative Interactive Qualitative Analysis (IQA) methodology, the final product of this research study is a Model of Adolescent Violence and Aggression. Preliminary findings through IQA analysis indicate that peer relationships and the media serve as the primary drivers to participation in violent and aggressive acts while concerns, i.e., protection, fear, and revenge, are the primary outcome or effect of youth violence. This research suggests that interventions to address youth violence should include strategies which target the media and peer group association as well as provide alternative solutions for resolving those issues related to concerns. Using a quantitative survey, descriptive statistics were gathered from a sample of 84 adolescents aged 14-17 years from a large suburban high school in Central Texas. Cronbach’s alpha ranged from .54-.89 across the series of scales. Pearson Correlations were high to moderate at both the 0.01 and 0.05 significance levels.

Learning Objectives:

• Audience members will be able to list and discuss the critical influencers of youth violence as perceived by the adolescent.
• Audience members will be able to recognize and discuss the relationships among the aforementioned critical influencers to youth violence.
• Audience members will evaluate the need for effective violence prevention programs which target the specific needs of adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Violence Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.