[Victims of violence in the general youth population. A longitudinal study of risk factors].
This paper presents new knowledge on risk factors involving violent victimization. The data stem from a representative survey of youths living in the Oslo area (n 447, response rate 86%). Questions on victimization experiences, drinking habits, alcohol problems, violence towards others and conflict-provoking behavior were first asked between the ages of 18 and 20 years (1993), and were repeated in the follow-up two years later. More men than women had been victimized. In both sexes there was a significant connection between alcohol problems and experiences as a victim. However, the consumption of alcohol and frequency of intoxication were only slightly related to such experiences. In men, both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses showed that violence towards others had a much greater statistical effect than any of the variables relating to drinking behavior. In fact, the effect was greater than that of any other variable in the study. In women, previous victimization was, without doubt, the most significant predictor for future victimization. Stability over time of such experiences was also much higher for women than for men. As regards preventive efforts targeted towards victimization among youths, our findings suggest that a specific programme for each of the sexes needs to be developed and implemented.
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Norsk institutt for forskning om oppvekst, velferd og aldring, Oslo.
Pedersen
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W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D019548:Crime Victims; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014754:Violence