Violence and mental health problems among urban high school students

We sought to determine the extent of exposure to violence and its relationship to other mental health risks among an urban teenage population.

Students attending regularly scheduled physical education classes completed a Violence Survey, a Suicidal Ideation Survey, the Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS), and the Adolescent Alcohol Involvement Scale. Of the 630 students who completed the anonymous assessment 45% were male, 55% female, 61% black, 30% Hispanic; 54% grades 9-10, and 46% grades 11-12.

Half of the students reported knowing someone who had been murdered, 61% indicated they had witnessed a robbery, 59% had witnessed a beating, 37% had witnessed a shooting, and 31% had witnessed a stabbing. Mental health problems reported by these students included: depression (DSRS score > 13) in 31%, suicidal ideation in 16%, suicide attempts in 10%, drinking > 1 x per month in 21%, and drinking daily in 5%. Univariate analysis revealed that students who witnessed a shooting or stabbing were more likely (p < .05) to be both male and black. Multivariate analysis revealed that students reporting knowing someone who was murdered were twice as likely to report suicidal ideation and four times as likely to report suicide attempts. Witnessing a stabbing was associated with twice the likelihood of reporting suicide ideation and three times the likelihood of reporting suicide attempts. Witnessing a shooting was associated with twice the likelihood of alcohol use. Witnessing a beating or robbery had no significant relationship to measured variables.

Among this population of urban teenagers there are many who have witnessed violence and a subgroup who have witnessed shootings and stabbings and are at increased risk for mental health problems. A comprehensive medical and psychosocial history should include a violence assessment for all urban teens.