title: Youth violence: understanding and prevention. Part I.
abstract: Violence is a major threat to the welfare and prosperity of any society and is a particular area of concern how violence-related events are increasing among children and adolescents. A review of the most relevant literature was done to identify factors that are considered of risk. We found factors that are beyond our control. But we can work together to eliminate some conditions that promote violence taking in consideration children upbringing patterns, culture and immediate surrounding. These factors include exposure to violence-related events; easy access to handguns; drugs and alcohol use, untreated mental illnesses and incapacity/limited coping skills for conflict resolution. Prevention and strategies of interactions to reduce youth violence need to be based in the understanding and early recognition of these factors.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
authors: L N
authors: LN
authors: Colón de Martí
authors: L F
authors: LF
authors: Martí-Calzamilia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*