A mediational analysis of Latino youth violence

Background: The SAFER (Seguridad, Apoyo, Familia, Educacion, y Recursos) Latinos project was developed with community partners to effect change in four key domains that were hypothesized as mediating factors for youth violence: family cohesion; school-related barriers; community cohesion and alienation; and risk behaviors. Methods: Randomized cluster-sampling was used to obtain a representative community sample. Baseline youth (aged 12-17 years) survey sample data were used to test a path model of the relationship between family, school, and community measures, and youth violence. Results: Mediational analyses indicated that friends risk behavior, pro-fighting attitudes, subjects' tobacco and alcohol use, and familiarity with gangs were mediators of youth violence. The path model fit the data well (CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = .04). Acculturation had a positive direct effect on both fighting and victimization. Expectations for the future had an inverse direct effect on victimization. Discussion: Results strongly support the hypothesized social ecology model in which immigrant Latino youth, as they become acculturated, are more likely to be socialized via a peer-based ecology of risk because of the difficulties, instabilities, and conflicts in their household, school and social environments. Direct or peripheral gang involvement - for males and females - is tied to increased violence as well as victimization, substance use, and other risks including sexual risk. Additional competencies need to be fostered to promote positive youth development and existing assets within family and community need to be strengthened.