Recorded presentation

Michael Windle, PhD and M. Janice Gilliland, PhD. Department of Psychology, Center for the Advancement of Youth Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 912 Building, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1200, 205-975-9463, windle@uab.edu

The identification of protective factors that reduce risk for violent behaviors among children may provide rich targets for health promotion interventions. However, few extant studies of children (fifth-graders) recruited in school settings have pursued this objective using a measurement battery that included the assessment of factors across multiple levels of influence. This study used data from 435 fifth-grade students (93% African-American, 51% male) and their primary caregivers who are participating in the Birmingham Youth Violence Study (BYVS), a prospective study of risk and protective factors for youth violence. Data were collected via separate interviews with the child and the primary caregiver in interview rooms at our research site. The five dependent variables included three antisocial behaviors (physical fighting and disruptive disorder symptoms as rated both by children and their primary caregivers) and two risk factors of subsequent violence (peer deviance and attitudes towards gangs). The seven independent variables included individual level predictors (empathy, positive mood, and behavioral flexibility), a parenting predictor (positive parental role), two school level predictors (school connectedness and attitudes toward school), and a perceived neighborhood safety predictor. Hierarchical stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that multilevel predictors were statistically significant for each of the five dependent variables. For example, lower levels of physical fighting were predicted by greater behavioral flexibility, a more positive parental role, higher school connectedness, and greater perceived neighborhood safety. Hence, protective factors across multiple levels may be identified to facilitate multi-component, multi-level health promotion interventions for anti-violence among fifth-grade children.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• List 5 factors that reduce rick for violent behaviors among children;
• Recognize the importance of multi-level components when designing intervention programs to reduce violent behaviors among children; and
• Articulate the need for anti-violence programs that address the multi-level nature of risk factors for youth violence.

Keywords: Violence Prevention, Children

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.

Recorded presentation