Related Experiment Videos
Adolescents' knowledge and attitudes about and experience with violence
A J Hausman1, H Spivak, D Prothrow-Stith
1Department of Health Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122.
Summary
Adolescents need better education on violence prevention. Improving knowledge and conflict resolution skills can help reduce youth violence, as fighting can be avoided.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Violence Prevention
Background:
- Youth interpersonal violence prevention programs often lack data on adolescent educational needs.
- This study addresses this gap by examining adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and experiences with violence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current levels of knowledge, attitudes, and experiences related to violence among adolescents.
- To inform the development of effective violence prevention educational interventions for young people.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted with over 400 adolescents across Boston neighborhoods.
- Random-digit dialed telephone techniques were used for data collection.
Main Results:
- While boys are more frequently involved in violence, nearly a quarter of girls report fighting.
- Black adolescents witness and are threatened by violence more often than white adolescents, but fighting rates are similar.
- Adolescents demonstrate a need for improved understanding of risk factors and lack knowledge of behavioral options for conflict avoidance, despite believing fighting should be avoided.
Conclusions:
- Preventive interventions should enhance adolescents' knowledge of personal risk factors.
- Interventions must also increase adolescents' repertoire of conflict-resolution skills to reduce violence.