What predicts adolescent violence in better-off neighborhoods?
Predictors of repeated violent delinquency across ages 13-19 were investigated in a longitudinal sample of 420 urban adolescent males living in high- compared to low-socioeconomic status (SES) neighborhoods. Adolescents in high-SES neighborhoods were significantly less likely than their counterparts in low-SES neighborhoods to engage in serious and violent delinquency. Results indicated that risk factors for later repeated violence among adolescents in high-SES neighborhoods, such as physical aggression, may be biologically based, whereas risk factors for later violence among adolescents in low-SES neighborhoods, such as poor parent-adolescent communication and early intercourse, appeared to be context-dependent. Having positive attitudes toward problem behavior and delinquent peers increased risk for later violence regardless of neighborhood SES type. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Beyers
J M
JM
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. jennmb@u.washington.edu
Loeber
R
R
Wikström
P O
PO
Stouthamer-Loeber
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*