Abstract
This investigation tested whether weapon carrying is a response to a perceived threat posed by prior victimization and traumatic experiences in a state population of incarcerated youth. Structured interviews of 723 youth (ageM = 15.5,SD = 1.23; 87% male) residing in all Missouri Division of Youth Services facilities were conducted. Multivariate analyses revealed that although prior victimization and trauma did increase the likelihood of weapon carrying, the probability of weapon carrying was higher with respect to gang fighting and polysubstance use. And although prior victimization and trauma did possess incremental validity in predicting weapon carrying, having been in a gang fight and lifetime polysubstance use were more potent predictors of weapon carrying. Results provide clear social policy implications in that strategies capable of reducing gang involvement and substance abuse may in turn interrupt the cycle of violence via the mechanism of weapon carrying reduction in high-risk youth.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 314-327 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2006 Jan 1 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Health(social science)
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Law
Cite this
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Do Prior Trauma and Victimization Predict Weapon Carrying Among Delinquent Youth? / Vaughn, Michael George; Howard, Matthew O.; Harper-Chang, Lisa.
In: Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, Vol. 4, No. 4, 01.01.2006, p. 314-327.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Do Prior Trauma and Victimization Predict Weapon Carrying Among Delinquent Youth?
AU - Vaughn, Michael George
AU - Howard, Matthew O.
AU - Harper-Chang, Lisa
PY - 2006/1/1
Y1 - 2006/1/1
N2 - This investigation tested whether weapon carrying is a response to a perceived threat posed by prior victimization and traumatic experiences in a state population of incarcerated youth. Structured interviews of 723 youth (ageM = 15.5,SD = 1.23; 87% male) residing in all Missouri Division of Youth Services facilities were conducted. Multivariate analyses revealed that although prior victimization and trauma did increase the likelihood of weapon carrying, the probability of weapon carrying was higher with respect to gang fighting and polysubstance use. And although prior victimization and trauma did possess incremental validity in predicting weapon carrying, having been in a gang fight and lifetime polysubstance use were more potent predictors of weapon carrying. Results provide clear social policy implications in that strategies capable of reducing gang involvement and substance abuse may in turn interrupt the cycle of violence via the mechanism of weapon carrying reduction in high-risk youth.
AB - This investigation tested whether weapon carrying is a response to a perceived threat posed by prior victimization and traumatic experiences in a state population of incarcerated youth. Structured interviews of 723 youth (ageM = 15.5,SD = 1.23; 87% male) residing in all Missouri Division of Youth Services facilities were conducted. Multivariate analyses revealed that although prior victimization and trauma did increase the likelihood of weapon carrying, the probability of weapon carrying was higher with respect to gang fighting and polysubstance use. And although prior victimization and trauma did possess incremental validity in predicting weapon carrying, having been in a gang fight and lifetime polysubstance use were more potent predictors of weapon carrying. Results provide clear social policy implications in that strategies capable of reducing gang involvement and substance abuse may in turn interrupt the cycle of violence via the mechanism of weapon carrying reduction in high-risk youth.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=38349040923&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=38349040923&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1541204006292665
DO - 10.1177/1541204006292665
M3 - Article
VL - 4
SP - 314
EP - 327
JO - Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice
JF - Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice
SN - 1541-2040
IS - 4
ER -