title: Violence-related behaviors on school property among Mississippi Public High School students, 1993--2003.
abstract: Researchers examined trends and compared subgroup differences in violence-related behaviors on school property among Mississippi public high school students from 1993 to 2003. Findings are based on data from the Mississippi Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), a representative sample (N = 9,058) of Mississippi high school students. Males, non-Hispanic Whites, heavy smokers, and binge drinkers reported violence-related behaviors on school property more frequently than their counterparts. A statistically significant linear decrease occurred during 1993--2003 in the percent of students carrying a weapon (p < 0.0001) and having a physical fight (p < 0.0001). The percent of students threatened or injured with a weapon on school grounds did not decrease significantly (p = 0.2800). Violence-related behaviors were reported somewhat less frequently among 12th graders but overall, grade was not a statistically significant factor. Trends observed in Mississippi appear to be occurring throughout the United States and perhaps globally. Parents, school officials, and community administrators are committed to reducing violence-related behavior on school property. Although the decreases are encouraging, the percent of students who reported violence-related behaviors remains at a level that causes serious concern. Efforts must continue and perhaps increase to curb behaviors that may lead to school violence. Future studies should elucidate mechanisms associated with the self-reported decreasing behaviors so intervention programs can be properly focused.
authors.affiliation: Office of Science and Evaluation, Mississippi State Dept of Health, Jackson, MS 39215-1700, USA. lzhang@msdh.state.ms.us
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000374:Aggression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008922:Mississippi; D012574:Schools; D014754:Violence / Q000639:trends*