CORRELATES OF YOUTHS FEARS OF VICTIMIZATION

This study investigated the role that depression, deviant behaviors, a nd exposure to violence may play in youths' fears of victimization. In -school youth (ages 11 to 20 years) completed an anonymous, self-admin istered health behavior questionnaire that measured a variety of psych osocial variables. Included in the questionnaire were items concerning fears of personal victimization, demographics, depression, deviant be haviors, and previous exposure to violence. Logistic regressions revea led that gender, grade, ethnicity, depression, and previous exposure t o violence were significantly associated with high fears of victimizat ion. The implications of this study for future research into children' s fears and for prevention programs are discussed.